Thisbe's Knits

It's been awhile, but this is worth it!

2011-06-19T20:56:00.000-07:00

My awesome friend, Shari, is about to become a published author. I've been lucky enough to read her upcoming book, and it is amazing, and you should all run right out and get it when it comes out....next fall. BUT, she has a great blog, and to tempt you until her book comes out, she will be having really fun contests. Including this one. So go! Read! Enter! Enjoy! You'll thank me later.

Three!

2009-05-04T19:34:00.001-07:00

She's three! Already? Three? How can this possibly be? Just yesterday she was a teensy peanut. And now she's singing broadway, and doing her own "ballet" and informing us that she was made in California. She's three and she's fabulous. Happy Birthday to the WK!!!!!

Why I am not a morning person

2009-02-23T12:47:00.000-08:00

So. Every morning, during the week, PBB gets up early, showers, dresses and heads off to work.

Inevitably, he wakes up Thisbe a bit, and generally, we just go right back to sleep.

Unfortunately, in the short interim period between when PBB leaves and when Thisbe actually must get up (usually no more than 30-45 minutes) Thisbe often has very odd dreams. This one is from earlier this month, and is by far, our favorite (remembered) dream so far. It was in fact so odd, that Thisbe actually sent PBB an email about it, which is reproduced here:

"I had a dream this morning that you and I went to a casino. As we were wandering around in the stores you found a talking cake that "mates for life". You loved this cake and insisted on buying it, despite the fact that it was $4000 (initially you kept telling me it was $40). When you realized the cost you tried to return it, but the casino would not take it back, but you weren't all that upset because you loved the talking cake "that mates for life" (Note: the fact that the cake "mated for life was a huge selling point for you, and although no one could explain to me how/why a cake would "mate for life", everyone was very enthusiastic about it*). Then you wanted to eat it. I pointed out repeatedly that you should not eat the talking cake, but you just kept saying that it was delicious. I was also very upset, since you have been so worried about the economy and making sure we are saving money lately and pointed out that we therefore don't have $4000 for talking, mating, cakes, and you told me that actually, we did, as you have extra money in a secret account. At this point I got very mad and woke up.

So. A few things.

1) Do not buy any talking, mating, cakes
2) Especially if they are more than $40
3) Especially if they are $4000
4) If you ignore the other 3 things, at least don't EAT the stupid cake
5) If I find out that you have a "secret" account with enough money to make such a ridiculous purchase, we will be having a serious conversation, and you better bring some flowers"

AAAAAAAAND bow. Thank you, thank you. Yes. This really, really, was Thisbe's dream. And Thisbe was on NO medication or mind-altering substances. I know. You're impressed.

*What would a cake mate with? Presumably another cake, but would they then birth a series of teeny cakes? (Kind of an exciting thought. Yum! Teeny cakes!). Of course, there appeared to be only one of the talking, mating, cakes, so could it mate with a regular cake? Also, why would they "mate for life" How long would a cake live? Frankly, this dream raised many more questions than it answered.

Today's Project: Final scarf, then hat, then baby gift

Today's Life Observation: Someone who is totally unreliable, lies, and deliberately ignores you? PROBABLY NOT A GOOD FRIEND. Ugh.

Lessons Learned

2009-02-19T21:16:00.001-08:00

So. In the last couple of months, Thisbe has learned several important life lessons from rehearsals, television, the WK, etc. And we feel it is important to share some of them:

Lesson #1 (from 24): Unless you actually see someone die, they aren't really dead (and even if you see them die, they might not be dead). We think this is great news, in that we've never actually seen anyone die, so all of our lost loved ones are apparently just operatives in secret government cells.

Lesson #2 (from WK): Daddy lives at his office because he loves it there.

Lesson #3 (from rehearsal): Turns out, a curtain? Is NOT SOUNDPROOF. So why must you discuss INAPPROPRIATE THINGS that we can ALL hear? Thisbe's ears continue to bleed.

Lesson #4 (from a children's show): Grownups are sillies.

Lesson #5 (from The Mentalist): Messy women are great in bed. Heh.

Lesson #6 (from The Closer): Lawyers are very sneaky, and often evil. [Note: I kind of knew this before]

Lesson #7 (from PBB): A**holery is women's kryptonite.

Lesson #8 (from a director): Thisbe is too "ethnic" to play a role that was also played by Julia Ormond.

Lesson #9 (from our new BFF, Lady S.): It's Ok to be dead inside. :)

Lesson #10 (from Mother Nature): Mother Nature, like Karma, is a b*tch. It will be winter forever here, but we will experience a fleeting day of pleasant weather just to drive us mad.

Lesson #11 (from Hot Guy): Just because you are pretty, does not mean you should talk. Or interact with others. Stick with standing quietly so we can gaze at you.

Lesson #12 (from Facebook): Custom privacy settings allow you to prevent certain people from completely disregarding internet etiquette.

Lesson #13 (from a trip to the Aquarium): Do NOT go to the Aquarium on a holiday. During a school break. Unless you like losing all sense(s) of personal space, hearing, and sanity.

Lesson #14 (from an unfortunate mistake): Do not drink caffeinated tea at 10 pm. Unless you aren't interested in going to sleep until 4am.

Lesson #15 (from the WK): [The reason people talk] is because they have batteries! The batteries are right in your throat! (Here she also opens her mouth to display her batteries).

Today's Project: One scarf down, 2 to go, plus one hat (Gimmelgirl -you're almost on deck!), one extra long pair wristies, one special baby present. Might not all get done today.

Today's Life Observation: How is it possible that it was 50 degrees this morning and we got an inch of snow tonight? EXPLAIN PLEASE.

Where you BEEN AT?

2009-02-17T21:30:00.000-08:00

Yes. So. Thisbe just looked at this blog and, WHOA! It's been over 2 months since we've been here.

And the obvious question is what the blogspot have you been doing with your time, woman?

Well. We'd like to tell you that we've been curing cancer, or brokering world peace, but that would be unfortunately, inaccurate.

Rather, there's been a lot of the following activities:

1) Driving the WK to and from places. It is my understanding that this activity is going to increase exponentially until she gets her driver's license, and then unless we provide her with a vehicle of her very own, this activity will be replaced by Calling and screaming at the not-so-WK to a) get home RIGHT now and b) DRIVE CAREFULLY!!! Not to mention that there is at least another 13+ years of the chauffeuring to go. Sigh.

2) Rehearsing for children's shows. Upshot: way low key. Low key to the point that often rehearsals for the last show resembled more of a prelude to the drinking that followed. Up next: Alice in Wonderland, starring, yours truly!

3) Offstage drama with several different friends. Oh. You know who you are. And so there was the breaking up with friends, passive aggressive sniping with/at/from friends, actual hollering at friends, and getting back together with friends, etc., etc. OH MY FREAKING GOODNESS. If you read this blog, save us all the trouble and follow 2 simple rules to avoid 90% of problems with Thisbe 1) return phone calls/emails 2) don't lie to me/about me. IS THIS REALLY SO HARD?

4) Family. Family. Family. Visiting family. Traveling to see family. Preparing for family visits. Attending family occasions. We love family, but we are considering entering witness protection just to get a few days of free time.

5) Engaging in the Great Potty Training Endeavor of '09. So far both sides remain entrenched, and no ground has been gained by either camp, but on the plus side, no lives lost. However, as we are entering into a critical phase of the Endeavor, all bets are off. If Thisbe is gone for another 2 months, it is probably because she suffered a breakdown and had to be sent to a "spa" to "rest".

6) Facebook. Yes. We have a problem. And we do not care.

7) Napping. See 1-5 above.

8) Drinking. See 1-5 above. Drinking also included a fabulous New Year's Eve Party and an awesome impromptu Superbowl get-together. Plus general drinking.

And for those of you playing along at home. We did indeed take the WK to see the Lion King. She sat through the entire thing, and absolutely loved it.* And now we listen to the Lion King every day. All day. For a total of (approximately) 3,782 times so far. Hoo-BOY. Do we ever love the Lion King! In some bad news: still there is the obsession with Bello. How we hate him. Hate him so.

*Cutest thing ever? WK brought her own teeny stuffed lion (now named Simba) to the show, and at the end of Circle of Life? When the Baboon holds up the Baby Simba? She HELD UP HER LION TOO. Ok. Sorry. That was way too "Mommy" of us. But still. SO. FREAKING. CUTE.

Today's Project: Finishing up some scarves so we can get to several other projects.

Today's Life Observation: In the words of Avenue Q "The more you love someone the more you want to kill them". Oh. There are some people I love A LOT right now. ;)

Why I hate Clowns.....

2008-12-15T19:49:00.000-08:00

OK. So we all know that Thisbe hates clowns.* And you can all post comments for me about how they are cute and engaging, and lovely, and why do I hate the cheerful little scamps?

And I have one word for you people: Bello.

The In-Laws took us, and the WK to see Bello in October, and since then, it has been a non-stop Bello-logue in our house.

Every morning? WK is yelling at Bello: "BELLO! I SAY NO! I SAY NO, BELLO!"

Every day, in the car? WK insists on singing the Bello theme song: "It's a BELLO BELLO BELLO BELLO BELLO BELLO BELLO BELLO-BRAAAAAAAATION!!!!"

Every night? Recap of what WK & Bello did today: "So I say, Bello, NO! And then he go up. And then he take the blanket, and I say, BELLO! NO!.........

[As an aside, for all that the WK insists that Bello loves her, and is her best friend, etc., etc., she yells at him a LOT]

[One other aside: the extensive discussion of Bello has been massively abbreviated for Thisbe's sanity]

Every night, after the day's Bello overload? Heavy drinking.

But Thisbe has a plan. Bello, say hello to THE LION KING.

Today's project: Mishmash of knitting and recovering from the weekend

Today's Life Observation: Men are wonderful, but they can be stupid. ;)

*Because they are terrifying, and because they eat people. Don't even try to persuade me otherwise.

Interesting....

2008-11-07T12:16:00.000-08:00

So I took this test, suggested by one of my favorite blogs (My Mom Shops), and here are the results...surprisingly accurate, I think...

Your result for Are You a Jackie or a Marilyn? Or Someone Else? Mad Men-era Female Icon Quiz...

You Are a Marilyn!

You are a Marilyn -- "I am affectionate and skeptical."

Marilyns are responsible, trustworthy, and value loyalty to family, friends, groups, and causes. Their personalities range broadly from reserved and timid to outspoken and confrontative.

How to Get Along with Me

* Be direct and clear

* Listen to me carefully

* Don't judge me for my anxiety

* Work things through with me

* Reassure me that everything is OK between us

* Laugh and make jokes with me

* Gently push me toward new experiences

* Try not to overreact to my overreacting.

What I Like About Being a Marilyn

* being committed and faithful to family and friends

* being responsible and hardworking

* being compassionate toward others

* having intellect and wit

* being a nonconformist

* confronting danger bravely

* being direct and assertive

What's Hard About Being a Marilyn

* the constant push and pull involved in trying to make up my mind

* procrastinating because of fear of failure; having little confidence in myself

* fearing being abandoned or taken advantage of

* exhausting myself by worrying and scanning for danger

* wishing I had a rule book at work so I could do everything right

* being too critical of myself when I haven't lived up to my expectations

Marilyns as Children Often

* are friendly, likable, and dependable, and/or sarcastic, bossy, and stubborn

* are anxious and hypervigilant; anticipate danger

* form a team of "us against them" with a best friend or parent

* look to groups or authorities to protect them and/or question authority and rebel

* are neglected or abused, come from unpredictable or alcoholic families, and/or take on the fearfulness of an overly anxious parent

Marilyns as Parents

* are often loving, nurturing, and have a strong sense of duty

* are sometimes reluctant to give their children independence

* worry more than most that their children will get hurt

* sometimes have trouble saying no and setting boundaries

Take Are You a Jackie or a Marilyn? Or Someone Else? Mad Men-era Female Icon Quiz at HelloQuizzy

Today's Project: Quick Baby Hat - waiting for pattern for another project

Today's Life Observation: Tivo is the greatest invention since the wheel. Or the polio vaccine. Well. It's pretty fantastic anyway.

Kids say the darndest things.....

2008-10-24T22:11:00.000-07:00

Tonight, at dinner.

WK: [earnestly] When I was a big girl? I used to move it, move it.* Like a tiger.

PBB & Thisbe: Well, sure. Like a tiger.

*Said as in the song from Madagascar "I like to Move it, move it!"

Today's Project: Halloween Costume. To be revealed soon!

Today's Life Observation: Growing up is hard work.

Hola!

2008-10-21T05:31:00.000-07:00

OK. So one of the big reasons Thisbe has been absent here, is because she was vacationing in Spain with PBB.

But wait, you ask, what of the WK? Well. The WK was also vacationing, but in the Ancestral Home City, with her Mimi & Big Pop.

[Pause while the realization that Thisbe & PBB took a REAL. BIG PERSON. VACATION. Sinks in]

WHEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!

Ok. Thisbe admits, leaving the WK was about as awful as ripping off her own arm. There was much sobbing and whimpering (on Thisbe's part. The WK was totally fine). But after a few hours (days) Thisbe came right around.

What follows is a condensed travel journal, if you will, of our journey to Espana. We had a fabulous time overall and Thisbe returned with many lovely, buttery soft leather goods.

Day 1: We drive, and drive, and drive, and drive to get to the airport. Upon arrival we park in long term parking and make the ridiculous trek to the actual terminal. (Approximate time to get to airport, 6.3 days). Realize once we are in line that the book Thisbe had been saving for the trip? IN THE CAR. Finally we get to the front of the check-in line and are told that Thisbe and PBB CANNOT SIT TOGETHER ON THE 7 HOUR FLIGHT. After all of the effort just to get to the counter, plus the trauma of leaving the WK, combined with the fact that Thisbe is not a great flier, and of course, failure to remember the book, you can imagine how well Thisbe handled this. Much sobbing and rending of garments later, the nice man sitting next to PBB agreed to switch seats, and we settled in for the flight.

Flight itself was fine. In-flight conditions? Bad. Very. Very. Bad. The "in-flight meal" was, by far, the worst airplane food (or for that matter, any food) Thisbe has ever seen/refused to taste. Additionally, the heat in the plane was on, and there was no air circulation, so Thisbe was nearly suffocated. Also. There was an in-flight movie, but PBB's headphones were non-functional, and it was irrelevant because there was no way to actually see the screen. Iberia Airlines? You will be receiving a very nasty letter. So amid these inauspicious circumstances we arrive in Madrid and make our connecting flight (uneventful) to Barcelona.

It is during our attempts to connect to our flight to Barcelona that we first experience what Thisbe likes to call "the Spanish System", as in, there is no system. To wit: On the flight as we arrived at the gate in Madrid, the flight attendant informed us that if we had connecting flights, Iberia personnel would be available as we disembarked to direct us to our next gate. Blithely we get off the plane (relieved to just be off it) and start looking for the personnel. No personnel. In fact, no real gate. We follow the signs/general teeming of people and ultimately arrive in a more populated area of the terminal. We figure out which gate we are supposed to be at, based on the departure board, and thanks to Thisbe's Amazing Race-style skillz, get to the gate indicated. Except there is no one there. Also, the gate is alternately flashing 4 different flights all leaving at the same time. We attempt to ask other airline personnel, they are strikingly unhelpful. We find the Iberia help desk, they assure us that the flight is indeed at that gate, but as of 10 minutes AFTER the scheduled boarding time there are still no personnel at the gate, and only a small number of people.

What we finally discovered (when we boarded 20 minutes later) is that this blase attitude is a hallmark of Spain. The basic standard is that any and every scheduled or regulated event is really just a suggestion. Lines? Also a suggestion. It is sort of a "do what you feel like when you want to" attitude. As you may well imagine, two Type-A attorneys functioned poorly under this system. [WHERE IS THE GATE ATTENDANT????? IS THIS EVEN OUR GATE???? ARE WE EVEN IN SPAIN????? WTF?????].

So, amid these relatively inauspicious circumstances, we arrive in Barcelona and take a (thankfully) uneventful cab ride to our hotel.

Day 2: Barcelona! Barcelona is a fun city. It is not exactly a beautiful city but it is very interesting and has a cool gothic quality in certain areas. When we first arrived we were exhausted and starving, so we went seeking food, and located an adorable coffee shop/patisserie called Mauri around the corner from our hotel. Thisbe loves Mauri. Thisbe would like to crawl into one of their sumptuous display cases and live in there with all of the delicious pastries and sandwiches. After much gesturing and guessing, we procured sandwiches and an iced coffee and all was well with the world, and thus fortified we headed off to our first tourist attraction, Parc Guell.

For those of you who are unfamiliar, Parc Guell is an incredible garden complex designed by the architect Antoni Gaudi. (get comfortable with his name, you will be seeing it a lot in this mini-travel journal). Originally designed to be a planned community (which, incidentally, would have been an environmentally friendly community), it is situated on a hill with many paths, some very cool arched walkways, and a large open terrace surrounded by a continuous bench, as well as many other incredible architectural features which would require several hours to detail. However, for the purposes of this discussion, one of the key elements to remember is that it is situated on a hill. A very big hill. Indeed, the hill is so big that they actually built escalators into the street to allow people to gain access to the park. And Thisbe, for one, barely made it up to the park with the escalators. And that's after the increased gym time.

But it is worth it. Parc Guell is incredibly beautiful and Thisbe loved all of the Gaudi elements, particularly the use of broken pottery to create a sort of mosaic effect on the benches and many of the buildings. PBB (oddly) and correctly also noted that Parc Guell was the site for the final walk-off in Cycle 7 of ANTM. Thisbe was also particularly fond of the lizard at the fountain in the front of the park. All in all, it was a very pleasant ramble through our first big Barcelona sight.

Later that night we went to a restaurant called Botafumiero for dinner. In addition to being a nice restaurant generally, it turns out that Botafumeiro is sort of a Carmine's type establishment, frequented by many celebrities, whose pictures adorn the walls for patron's amusement. (e.g. Scarlett Johansson) As with many restaurants in Barcelona, there was a heavy emphasis on seafood at Botafumeiro, which we capitalized on by eating king crab and calamari. This dinner also kicked off Thisbe's week of drinking. Spain is known for delicious wine, cava (sparkling wine) and dessert wine. And Thisbe recognized that it was her opportunity, nay, her duty, to sample one drink from each of the aforementioned categories with every dinner. And so she did. And it was good.

Next up on the travelogue: The Picasso Museum & La Rambla. Stay tuned!

Today's Project: Working on the Wk's Halloween costume

Today's Life Observation: My cell phone is possessed by Satan. Really.

Love it or Hate it?

2008-09-17T12:06:00.000-07:00

1. Whole Foods: LOVE IT. Ah Whole Foods. With your delicious prepared foods section, and your array of soups, and your (now individually packaged) caramel corn. You make me feel warm and fuzzy.

2. The WK's "I can do it myself!!!!!" Phase: HATE IT. So far, the only things the WK can reliably do herself are 1) Whine/Cry/Scream 2) Spill stuff. Unsurprisingly, there is not much call for either of these tasks in our everyday routine (although they are certainly injected into every possible event), so the WK is trying to do lots of things which she cannot do well, or in some cases at all. And she is QUITE FIRM that she MUST DO THEM HERSELF. "I put on pants MYSELF! I put on backpack MYSELF! I open door MYSELF! I go up/down stairs MYSELF!". Have you any idea how long it takes a 2 year old to put on a backpack? No? I'll let you know when she finishes doing it. So far, approximately 2 hours and 17 minutes. You know what Thisbe will be doing HERSELF? Figuring out how early is too early for drinking, that's what.

3. The new TNT show Raising The Bar: LOVE IT. OK. Judge me and scorn me, but a show which stars Zack? From Saved by the Bell? All growed up? Do not even tell me that you aren't the least bit curious. Also, it is so soap-opera-y that it is hilarious.

4. Drivers on the Parkway. HATE THEM. I know there has been much complaining of the bad drivers in this area, but GEEZ. Now that Thisbe is taking the WK to preschool and must drive back and forth on the Parkway every day, we are being subjected to a whole new level of bad driver. White service van? THE SPEED LIMIT IS 55! WHY DID YOU DRIVE 40??????? Guy from NJ? 1) You need a headset for the cellphone which is distracting you 2) if you cannot drive properly and talk on your cell phone then please stop 3) you must choose ONE lane to drive in 4) your sort of idiot behavior is the type of thing that makes me despise your state and wish that car-mounted weaponry were legal.

5. Sarah Palin: HATE HER. Sorry. Will not launch into rabid diatribe, understand that reasonable people can disagree, yet still: HATE HER.

6. Tina Fey PLAYING Sarah Palin: LOVE HER. Particularly fond of part where Amy Poehler/Hilary is trying to talk and Tina/Sarah starts Miss America posing for the cameras. AHAHAHAHAHAHAHA. Whew.

Today's Project: Oh, just take a guess. Hint: starts with "w" and ends with "risties"

Today's Life Observation: Naps - they're not just for toddlers anymore.

Tuesdays with WK

2008-09-16T19:12:00.000-07:00

WK: Mommy. I want listen to song.
Thisbe: Ok. What song?
WK: I want the other song, not the other song.
Thisbe: Um. I have no idea what you mean. What is the name of the song?
WK: I can't tell you.
Thisbe: Ok. Can you sing part of the song?
WK; [Getting agitated] I can't TELL you! Can you please play the song?
Thisbe: Let me get this: you want me to play a song, but you can't tell me what it is. So I have to guess.
WK: [Crying] PLEASE! THE OTHER SONG! NOT THE OTHER SONG!
Thisbe: I am not sure whether to be frustrated, or impressed that you think I can read your mind.
WK: You just play song??????? PLEEEEEEEEEEEASE????????

Later the same day....WK is in bed. Suddenly, much crying and agitation. PBB goes to investigate:

PBB: [entering room] Hey sweetie - what's wrong?
WK: My pants are off!!!!
PBB: [Confirms that pants are off]. Yes. Yes they are. Why are your pants off?
WK: I took them off.
PBB: Why did you do that?
WK: So I can put them on.

You can't make this stuff up, people.

Today's Project: Freaking wristies. Hate.

Today's Life Observation: Candy Corn season has begun! Let the delicious consumption begin.

Another Letter

2008-09-11T09:20:00.000-07:00

Dear Karma,

While I realize that I have been slacking in the "de-worming of orphans in Africa" level of goodness, I have to say, I did not realize that I was unwittingly participating in the clubbing of baby seals, because MAN are you overwhelming me with the low-level smackdown over here. Whatever it is that I did, I apologize. To everyone. In the universe. Because clearly I have offended approximately 97% of you. You're right, I'm wrong. I didn't mean it, it was an accident. I had no idea that I was putting out this kind of negative energy. Now please, please, can we move past all of this?

With love and wishes only for world peace,

Thisbe

Today's Project: Well, since karma is in charge, wristies.

Today's Life Observation: Something neutral! That offends no one! You're all lovely!

Um. Yeah. About the blogging....

2008-08-23T20:17:00.000-07:00

OK. So, Thisbe has gotten a little behind on the posting.

We blame Facebook.

You all know what we are talking about. The seductive format of knowing what 90 of your closest friends are doing (thanks to status updates) at any given moment with the merest click of a mouse? Overwhelming.

However, with the recent addition of high school pictures of Thisbe [Thisbe will pause here while you all go take a look. And yes. Thisbe looks stupid. Enjoy. Laugh away. All of you readers are on facebook too, and if you think it won't happen to you? You are very, sadly, mistaken.]; Thisbe is much less enamored of the facebook scene. It is like going to your favorite cafe and realizing that now there is a lame poetry reading there every day. Or a crappy band. But we digress.

So, yeah, facebook started the lack of blogging, but then it was exacerbated by the following (in no particular order):

1) Working at a summer program part-time in July. For a variety of reasons it was exhausting. Enough said.

2) The inordinate amount of family time the Thisbe family had this summer. Thisbe thinks that she has not spent this much time with her family or PBB's family (or any family) since she was in high school.

3) Traveling, attendant to the family visiting-ness.

4) Summer is the time when PBB, in all his glory, is the head of the Summer Associate Program at his firm. This requires Thisbe to step up and be Adorable Charming Wife, and host a large party at her house, and attend a series of events. At all of these events Thisbe must be witty and charming and adorable. And although Thisbe *is* witty and charming and adorable, um, she is not all of these things all of the time. And she can often be cranky and hostile and off-putting, so this sort of thing is also time consuming and exhausting.

5) The WK had her first bout with the stomach flu. It was hideous. Hands are shaking merely remembering the week of the "bad noise". No more can be said. For Thisbe's mental health.

And the list continues, but these were some of the main issues.

So.....updates:

1) MEMG is now a member of PBB's firm.

2) [broken sobbing] The Little Blonde moved back to her Ancestral Homeland.

3) WK is working on the potty training. She knows most of the words to Livin' on a Prayer. She also routinely refers to PBB & Thisbe by their first names. {WK: "Thisbe! Just chill out!" Thisbe: [to self] Are you KIDDING ME with this?]

4) Thisbe and PBB are each a year older.

OK. More regular posting to resume. Promise

Today's Project: All knitting. All the time.

Today's Life Observation: It doesn't have to be a scary dream to be a nightmare.

Whimper

2008-05-27T17:13:00.000-07:00

The scene: Thisbe's couch. Thisbe is trying to settle down and take a nap, or at least rest, as the WK woke up approximately 50 times last night to talk to her stuffed cat, and was finally taking a nap.

The phone rings, it is PBB:

PBB: Hey! Ready for me to ruin your day?
Thisbe: [Instantly wary, as tone of voice does not match words] Why? What happened?
PBB: Guess who is in Managing Partner's office RIGHT NOW interviewing for a job, and probably getting an offer?
Thisbe: [Increasingly anxious] Who?
PBB: MOST EVIL MEAN GIRL*
Thisbe; [Incoherent screaming and babbling, curling like a shrimp into a ball] Noooooooooooooooo
PBB: I am trying to stop it.
Thisbe: [sobbing]

Upshot: MOST EVIL MEAN GIRL got an offer. All of the horrible events and anxiety from that period of Thisbe's life will now be working down the hall from PBB. Thisbe will have to see her if she wants to go to any firm event or visit PBB at the office. Thisbe will be drinking a pitcher of sangria and crying for the rest of the evening.

*MOST EVIL MEAN GIRL was the leader of the clique of mean girls who tortured Thisbe into near insanity at her last law firm job. Thisbe wishes this was some sort of descriptive hyperbole, but it is not. Fun games played by MEMG included (but were not limited to) gathering associates in her office to make fun of Thisbe, when Thisbe could HEAR THEM THROUGH THE WALLS, badmouthing Thisbe to people who worked at other firms, lying about what she said to other firms and blaming it on Thisbe, and generally behaving as cruelly as possible to Thisbe.

Today's Project: [sobbing]

Todays LIfe Observation: [sobbing]

ARGH! Part II

2008-05-22T13:08:00.000-07:00

Dear Criminal Minds:

Blowing up one team member? And showing us each member getting into a separate, yet identical, car? SO THAT THISBE MUST WONDER ALL SUMMER WHO GOT BLOWN UP????* Criminal INDEED.

Also, Ugly Betty, and Grey's Anatomy? Do not be pulling this sort of crap tonight. Thisbe has no patience for it right now.

Today's Project: Finishing up gray sparkly shawl

Today's Life Observation: One bad apple spoiled my whole group. How I hate that apple.

*And don't *EVEN* tell me you blew up the cute, newly pregnant woman. Or the tall geeky guy who is my favorite. Or any of them. Damn you, Criminal Minds! Why must you mess with the team at the BAU, they are a FAMILY. Don't you know ANYTHING? It's like you've been watching too much 24. Except that it isn't on. [Jack! How I miss you! But I digress]

ARGH!

2008-05-18T20:03:00.000-07:00

Dear Desperate Housewives:

You suck. Your cliffhanger season finale makes me want to scream. And not in the good, "Ooooh! I can't wait to see what happens!" way, but rather in the "Oooooh! Someone just stabbed me in the eye with a fork!" Your Susan plotline makes no sense! It is stupid! The thing with Kathryn - you sure tied up some loose ends there! Again! STUPID! GAH!

HATE! HATE! HATE!

Argh. Television. I wish I could quit you.

Angrily yours,

Thisbe

Milestones

2008-05-18T12:45:00.001-07:00

This is Thisbe's 100th post! Yes. Some of you have been dedicated enough (or bored enough) to read 100 posts by Thisbe. We here at Thisbe's Knits salute you, intrepid readers. And we promise to make the next 100 posts full of more fun, more stories of Thisbe's inanity, the patience of PBB, the WK's hilarity, and general amusement for all.

In other news: Today Thisbe GARDENED. That's right. You might need to sit down. We understand. It is a shock, what with Thisbe generally being a bit of a slacker in the homemaker department. But indeed, the rumors are true. Today Thisbe, PBB & the WK selected some bee-yoo-ti-ful flowers* and had a family fun activity of planting them in our front flower beds. Now our front yard is all pretty, and Thisbe just wants to go out and admire her flowers. Except that it is raining. Soooo, apparently admiring of flowers will have to wait until tomorrow. Or happen from the window.

The WK, while excited about the prospect of digging with her tiny pink shovel, was actually counterproductive in the process. And yet? Still managed to be covered in dirt almost immediately.

So all in all, quite the red letter day.

Today's project: Gray shawl

Today's Life Observation: Family really can make it fun.

*Multicolored Double begonias and snapdragons, an azalea bush and a rhododendron.

Brilliance or Insanity?

2008-05-16T09:47:00.000-07:00

1. Albert's Mofango House. Thisbe encountered this establishment while taking a friend home from a fun outing in the Big City last night. It features a large, brightly colored sign with a picture. Other passengers in the car posited that the picture was a muffin, a bowl of rice, ice cream, and an African-American man with a white afro. All Thisbe will say is: we were WAY off. Also, the actual item is far less exciting. And appealing.

2. The Something Store. According to this site, you send them $10 and they send you "something". Items sent recently include a Starbucks gift set, an RC speed racer, and a clock/calendar/weather thing. Or you could donate $10. Or burn it.

3. [Ok. This one is neither brilliance or insanity, but just stupidity]. Overheard at local phone store:
Phone Guy: So here is where your menu is, and then you go here to text....
Woman: OH! Good. Because I wanted to text my vote on Dancing With the Stars, but I couldn't figure out how.
Thisbe: [To self, inner monologue] Ma'am. I am not sure what the most disturbing part of that sentence is, but I am driving away before you get behind the wheel of a car.

Today's Project: Shawl for pay.

Today's Life Observation: Mac n' cheese makes any day a good day.

So Pretty.

2008-05-13T13:22:00.000-07:00

Take a look at Thisbe's beautiful Lilies of the Valley.

Gimmelgirl. You are fabulous.

Today's Project: Did Thisbe mention the sunny? And therefore, the lazy?

Today's Life Observation: Politics are ugly. No matter what.

Adventure Time with Thisbe & The Little Blonde!

2008-05-09T15:37:00.000-07:00

So. You thought Thisbe was lame. You thought that Thisbe just sat around all day, watching re-runs of Crossing Jordan (Woody! I love you! Call me!) and dancing at the whim of the tiny dictator that is the WK. (BENATAR MOMMY!!!!!)

But NO. Thisbe is cool. Oh yeah. Thisbe is hip and happening.

Thisbe went to Brooklyn and met Dooce, her husband Jon, Laid-off Dad, and Finslippy.

That's right. Try to turn your complexions back to normal, as you are green with envy.

All except the Little Blonde, who was the Thelma to my Louise on this adventure. (Or vice versa. Which one of them was the one who drove? She was that one.)

On Wednesday, The Little Blonde & Thisbe drove to Brooklyn for an impromptu book signing/meet-and-greet. Initially we had some concerns that we would be viewed as insane blog-stalking Stepford wives. Indeed, upon getting to Brooklyn, we had concerns that some sort of hipster police would appear and politely ask us to take our very non-cool selves back to Stepford.

Yet, there were no such incidents. Surprisingly, we didn't even stick out in the crowd of people who had arrived to worship the bloggers. Frankly, we were significantly less "enthusiastic" than many of the people there.

Dooce, Jon, LOD and Finslippy could not have been nicer or more fun. They were totally down-to-earth, and although every reader thinks they would be BFF with certain bloggers, The Little Blonde & Thisbe left desperately wishing we *could* be BFF with them.* They were all just as excited to talk to their fans as the fans were to see them. The Little Blonde and Dooce bonded over their southern childhoods and Thisbe slavered over Finslippy's AWESOME shoes. [Truly. These shoes rocked my world. Finslippy, I tell you, Zappos cannot get them to my house fast enough].

There was all sorts of book signing and picture taking, and the atmosphere was very relaxed, and sort of had a happy-hour vibe. Barnes and Noble? You may want to consider getting your liquor license. I'm just saying.

In addition, it was particularly fantastic that Thisbe and The Little Blonde were able to experience this Adventure together, as The Little Blonde recently announced that she has sold her house and is returning to her Southern roots [Insert sound of Thisbe's uncontrollable sobbing here]. Thisbe will miss her terribly, especially since she routinely comes up with gems like this:

LB: Man, if it were possible, I'd be all over that like a duck on a junebug.
T: [Staring silently at LB, stunned. Finally finds words]. Um. WHAT????
LB: You know, like a duck? On a junebug? WHOMP! [Makes "whomping" motion]
T: [Cannot speak. Laughing for 10 straight minutes].
LB: Come on. You must have heard that before? Whomp?
T: [Crying, as she is laughing so hard].

People. Thisbe cannot make this stuff up.

Below, pictures of Thisbe and the Little Blonde with Dooce, Jon, and Finslippy, and then one with Laid-off Dad.

*One thing we felt bad about was our failure to bring an offering to the bloggers. But we were sort of stymied by what would be an appropriate gift. Let's face it, would you eat food made by someone who is essentially stalking you on the Internet? Yeah, I didn't think so.

Today's Project: So behind. Must work on knitting. But the sun is so pretty.

Today's Life Observation: It's fun to do something impromptu. And to use the word "impromptu".

Already?

2008-05-04T00:01:00.000-07:00

I can't believe she's two. Such a big girl. Thisbe loves her so much.

Luckiest Mommy in the world, two years and counting....

Today's Project: Finishing up wristies. Getting back to socks & shawl

Today's Life Observation: WK. You are the best girl ever!

Update: We have a winner!!!!

2008-04-23T15:19:00.000-07:00

Major kudos to Gimmelgirl, who actually sent Thisbe a beautiful pot of Lillies of the Valley! The Hermione hat she has been coveting will be hers.

Also, she totally rocks, as this was, to say the least, a timely gift. Thisbe has been doubting the human race in a big way for the last week or so.

Gimmelgirl, you are the best. Thisbe loves you so.

Today's Project: Finishing up some wristies, looking for Hermione hat

Today's Life Observation: Just when you think no one cares, someone proves you wrong.

With Salt?

2008-04-21T09:54:00.000-07:00

So. Question of the day: What is Margarita Island?

Answer: Not an island with unlimited frosty alcoholic beverages (as posited by Thisbe). Rather, it is an island in Venezuela. And Thisbe & PBB have been invited to a wedding there.

Indeed, this was just about the most high maintenance wedding invitation Thisbe has ever received. The invitation came in a box (adorned with a small shell) and was sent in an overnight envelope. The bride is an associate at PBB's office. We are flattered by the invite, but suspect that this may be one of those invitations that is a formality, rather than something we are expected to attend. However, we are both intrigued by the location and sorely tempted to call her bluff. I imagine she would be quite taken aback if we did [Where the hell am I supposed to seat these people??????].

Today's Project: Finishing up some wristies

Todays' Life Observation: Every single thing Thisbe does? Could be done by a nanny, cook, or housekeeper. So Thisbe is essentially obsolete.

A few of my favorite things

2008-04-16T20:51:00.000-07:00

OK. First person to get Thisbe some lilies of the valley gets her undying gratitude and potentially a handknitted item of their choice.

When Thisbe was a child, there was a house near hers that had enormous clumps of lilies of the valley growing right by the sidewalk, and they did not care if we picked some. And they would bloom every year in late April or early May. Thisbe loves how tiny and perfect each little flower is and the really delicate perfume. They are the very best flower. They are Thisbe's absolute favorite flower.

It is spring! Thisbe needs her lilies of the valley!!!!!!!

Today's Project: 2 loads of laundry

Today's Life Observation: Still looking for my 6 words

Fascinating

2008-04-16T05:55:00.000-07:00

So, one of the blogs that Thisbe reads regularly is by the very fabulous Jen Lancaster.

It is worth checking out her entry from yesterday, which asks her readers to summarize their life in 6 words, ala Hemingway's legendary bet. Some of them are funny, some of them are heartbreaking. It is absolutely riveting to read. And quick, as they are only words apiece.

Thisbe has not yet figured out her six words....update to follow......

Today's Project: Unsure. Wristies or socks, or maybe shawl

Today's Life Observation: [To be filled in with 6 words]

Um. DUH.

2008-04-14T14:13:00.000-07:00

Yeah. So this was a headline article on MSNBC.

Apparently, eating lots of fattening, sugary, unhealthy foods? Can be a health risk.

I mean, really, who knew?

Today's Project: Wristies. Sigh.

Today's Life Observation: The nature museum near us finally replaced the bunny that had, um, "gone away". There are now two bunnies. Surprisingly (not) they do not like being screamed at (with joy) by a two year old.

Not one of Thisbe's 100 things

2008-04-11T20:28:00.000-07:00

So. Thisbe's good buddy, Music Director had a concert on Friday. And he indicated that it was an actual important concert. And as he has many, many, many, concerts, which Thisbe generally does not attend, Thisbe felt like she should make a little effort and go.

Upon questioning Music Director, Thisbe found out that the concert was at the State University campus, which Thisbe (naively) believed was not far from capital (approximately 45 minutes from Thisbe's house). Also, as this University routinely plays Thisbe's beloved Orangemen, Thisbe thought it would be a good idea to find out how far she would have to drive to see a game. It is also one of those places in the state that everyone seems to have visited at some point, and Thisbe never had.

So really, it would be fun! An adventure! A teeny tiny road trip! Right? RIGHT?????

Yeah. Not. As it turns out, State University campus is very, very, far from Thisbe's house. More like 90 minutes. And in the middle of NOWHERE. NOWHERE I SAY. And remember, Thisbe went to law school in Ithaca. There weren't even restaurants out near this school. (Let's face it, at least there was the Collegetown Bagels, Wendy's, Franco's, and the Nines in Collegetown. Not to mention Wegman's a short drive away. There was food. No such luck at State University. Although we did see a sketchy Thai restaurant. Let us hope the students are big fans of Thai food).

This place made Ithaca look like an urban jungle. At any moment Thisbe expected to be cornered by herds of angry and bored cattle that were going to harass Thisbe and her friend just for amusement. It also rained for most of the drive. WK can never attend this school because Thisbe is convinced she would immediately turn to drugs and alcohol out of sheer boredom.

However, in all fairness, there were three positives to the evening:

1) Thisbe was joined on her expedition by her other good friend, the Drama Queen, who kept Thisbe awake and entertained on the lengthy drive to and from State University.

2) Thisbe and the Drama Queen stopped at a restaurant near (read: several miles from) the State University called "Kathy John's" which advertised "Food and Ice Cream" and which did not disappoint. It was perhaps one of the most fabulous restaurants Thisbe has visited in some time. In addition to the fact that there was not one healthy menu offering, the restaurant had a small store attached to it which sold, among other things: embroidered lavender scented pillows, a vast array of beanie babies, stickers, several fancy paper lanterns and lamps, and the largest selection of rubber stamps and stamp paraphernalia that I have ever seen. Have some chicken fingers! And make a greeting card with kitten stamp! And a heart shaped hole punch!!!

3) The concert was really lovely. Music Director, in addition to being an all-around good guy*, is a very talented musician. While Thisbe is not a particularly big fan of Mozart's Requiem he did a great job, and is a lot of fun to watch (and not just because his pants almost fell down. True Story.). The soloists and choir were excellent, as was the orchestra.

*Thisbe should point out here that Music Director was invaluable during her show, and put up with a lot of Thisbe's general freaking out about the show and attendant show issues with good humor. Plus, he drove Thisbe's sorry drunken self home from the cast party and did not make fun of her, AND did not even give her a hard time when her drunken directions resulted in his driving aimlessly around a very rural area at 2am. As the WK would say: BIG HUG for Music Director.

Today's Project: Socks. Recipient seems more grateful.

Today's Life Observation: Today I saw a banana split that was bigger than the WK. And I was afraid.

Sigh.

2008-04-09T19:33:00.000-07:00

My boyfriend is the dreamiest.

He's handsome, and sexy, and he gives millions of dollars to charity.

AND he can make a porkpie hat look good.

(Spare me the emails about how he is crazy, or how he is already dating some woman, or how I am crazy and he is not really my boyfriend. How I love him so).

Today's Project: No more socks.

Today's Life Observation: There is a Rita's Water Ice! 10 minutes from my house! YAY!

Congratulations!...

2008-04-09T15:07:00.000-07:00

....to the Gaglz family on the birth of Damon Danger! We can't wait to meet him!

Today's Project: Socks. But we are getting sick of making socks for people who don't give a da*n

Today's Life Observation: A long walk by the ocean will really clear your head.

I forgot to tell you....

2008-04-08T18:32:00.000-07:00

...I'm AWESOME.

Or more specifically this is awesome.

Yet another shout-out to the Little Blond for alerting me to this Twitter.

Which, I must admit, made me laugh out loud.

Today's Project: Socks

Today's Life Observation: The robins on my street are enormously fat. I think they might be carnivorous.

Hmmmmmmm....

2008-04-07T15:36:00.000-07:00

OK. So, recently it was pointed out to me that I discuss some people on this blog with a great deal of frequency, and other people, who are prominent in my life, are basically not mentioned at all.

So to clarify, lest some people feel unloved, the only reason that certain persons are mentioned while others are not, is because Thisbe is very conscious that the Web is a vast and scary place full of creepy lurking people. Thisbe is therefore uneasy mentioning people who don't already put themselves out there (e.g. have their own blog, website, livejournal, etc.), as they might not want such creepy lurking people reading about them.*

So, dear readers, if you feel slighted in some way, my apologies. I will make a concerted effort to mention or identify more of you UNLESS YOU TELL ME NOT TO DO SO.

Because, let's face it. You people are quite entertaining.

*Indeed, at least one person specifically requested to never be mentioned on this blog

Today's Project: Socks!

Today's Life Observation: It may not be winter forever! Thisbe saw ACTUAL SPRING FLOWERS today.

Complaint Department

2008-04-03T09:13:00.000-07:00

Thisbe would normally put this post in letter form, but is feeling lazy. So, in no particular order, here are some things that are driving Thisbe NUTS.

1. Traffic on the 2 lane road we must travel to take the WK to her Kindermusik class. WHY? You're repairing a road, not constructing the Taj Mahal, FIGURE OUT HOW TO PROPERLY DIVERT TRAFFIC YOU IDIOTS. GAH.

2. Hey Richard? From Top Chef? If you "smoke" one more thing I am officially going to be forced to root against you on principle. Quit it with your stupid smoking crap. Cook something. To be cliche: It is not "Top Smoker". Argh.

3. Not so much a complaint, but notable: Martha Stewart's entry on her blog today: Donkey Cleaning 101. Not sure how this is relevant to the average reader.

4. WK: I love you more than I love anyone in this world, but if you do not stop crying in the car every time you drop something (roughly every 30 seconds), there is a serious chance that Thisbe will drop you off at PBB's office and drive, Thelma & Louise-like, onward to Mexico.

5. All the people who fail to return my emails. Grrrrrrrrrrrr. [Note that Thisbe is a complete hypocrite here, as she often fails to return email].

6. Retail merchants: Thisbe has finally lost enough weight to try on pants. Why must you manufacture pants in styles only for women who have no a$$es and no hips? Why must there be a 4 inch gap between my back and the back of the pants? WOMEN HAVE CURVES. MAKE US SOME FREAKING PANTS ALREADY.

7. Television: The strike is over. BRING BACK MY SHOWS. RIGHT. FREAKING. NOW.

8. Universe: enough with the low-level annoyance. I'm done. Please just give me a few days off. And for the record, this does not mean that I am looking for serious-level annoyance. I'd like just a few days of quiet.

OK. Enough with the grousing. Happier posts to resume shortly.

Today's Project: Perhaps socks. Perhaps a shawl. Perhaps wristies.

Today's Life Observation: Sesame Street: semi-irritating children's show, or fount of all knowledge?

The Other WHAT?

2008-02-29T21:33:00.000-08:00

To: Sony Pictures
From: Thisbe
Re: "The Other Boleyn Girl"
cc: Philippa Gregory

Dear Sirs and/or Madam(s)

I write with regard to the 2 hours of my life that you WASTED turning one of my favorite books into one of the VERY WORST MOVIES I HAVE EVER SEEN*. Not one single iota of that movie (with the exception of the fact that there were actual people with those names) was accurate, and I can only be grateful that I paid a mere $.25 to see it, as my friend had a coupon. I think it was still overpriced, but am willing to be somewhat flexible as the Tudor period costumes were lovely. Somewhere, I imagine the author is quietly sobbing for her unbelievably poor decision to sell you the rights to her novel, and vowing to sue you for defamation of character on behalf of the historical individuals.
I can only hope that the depravity that led you to destroy a great book and subject the public to a truly terrible film will condemn you to the lowest level of hell (where, presumably, you will be forced to watch this movie repeatedly).

Angrily yours,
Thisbe

*The very worst movie being Waterworld. Don't even get Thisbe started.

Too much of a good thing...

2008-02-29T10:17:00.000-08:00

So. As anyone reading this blog has noticed, the last several posts have been dedicated to Thisbe's show, which is a Gilbert & Sullivan show (The Yeoman of the Guard). Gilbert & Sullivan is sort of a specialized genre, with a limited fan base. Thisbe got into it because her Dad & Uncle are both big fans, and Thisbe was indoctrinated from a very young age. Indeed, Thisbe could sing all of "I am the very Model of a Modern Major General" before she was eight.

At rehearsal on Wednesday, the President of Thisbe's group made "an important announcement". The announcement was that Friday (today) is February 29th, a day that only happens once every four years, and also the birthday of Frederic, the protagonist of The Pirates of Penzance. As such, the President required everyone to sing "Hail Poetry" and had a birthday cake for Frederic.

Now. Thisbe is all for singing Hail Poetry (it was the anthem for Thisbe's college group and carries a great deal of nostalgia), and of course, Thisbe is all for cake.

However. Thisbe is a *little* concerned about all the fuss being made over a FICTIONAL CHARACTER'S BIRTHDAY.

It seems, shall we say, excessive? (We're going with "excessive" rather than "bat-sh*t crazy")

Today's Project: Black gossamer shawl

Today's Life Observation: Naptime. It's the *best* time

Monday morning Quarterbacking.

2008-02-25T09:47:00.000-08:00

OK. One other thing. The Oscars were kind of disappointing.

Thisbe is pleased they happened at all, but there was not much of a surprise about any winners, and they were kind of blah. Jon Stewart and Steve Carrell were pretty funny though.

Also, many of the actresses and actors broke Thisbe's cardinal rule: if you are that gorgeous, then please dress to look good. Do not dress as though you were attacked by wolverines (or chickens), do not highlight unflattering areas of your body because you are so fit. Do not not show up looking as though you have been living in the mountains for the last 18 months.

Major offenders included: Penelope Cruz, Jessica Alba, and Cameron Diaz (what was UP with that dress? It does not take a genius to know that draping hanging around your hips? NOT FLATTERING. And the hair? You're at the Oscars. You are not going to the gym. Make more of an effort than a ponytail. ARGH. HATE.) Viggo Mortenson (Viggo, you made me sad. I love beards, and you almost made me hate them).

People whose work I will continue to see include: Katherine Heigl, Anne Hathaway, and (surprisingly) Calista Flockhart.

Nicole Kidman: You are pregnant, so Thisbe will give you a bit of a pass, but the dress/necklace combination? DID NOT WORK.

Today's Project: See other post

Today's Life Observation: See other post

All frenzied with despair..

2008-02-25T09:42:00.000-08:00

...soooooooo the freaking out? Has not gotten any better.

Indeed, we are now at the level of full fledged panic attack. Not because Thisbe thinks the show will be bad, but because Thisbe is just freaking out. Thisbe's tiny, skittery, brain cannot stop obsessing over all of the things that could go wrong, or that she could do to cause lifelong shame to herself.

The result? Thisbe could barely breathe at her vocal lesson.

ARGH.

Today's Project: Breathing. Knitting of any kind is in the backseat

Today's Life Observation: None. Breathing.

Snow Day!

2008-02-22T20:06:00.000-08:00

In classic weather-person fashion, the snow expected for today was minimal (2-4 inches), and yet, we appear to have 6-8 inches on the ground. Weather people: Your degrees are bogus. You would have just as much luck if you consulted with a Ouija Board.

Anyhow. The unexpected upshot - frolicking in the snow with the Wee Kraken

I don't normally post pictures, but...

Hee! Cute! Love!

Updates:

1. Show getting terrifyingly close. Pretty much everyone Thisbe knows will be attending. Thisbe is FREAKING OUT. As a lead, Thisbe gets lots of attention (wonderful for the needy, 16 year old girl that is Thisbe). But, Thisbe's character is very flirty/sexy and as Thisbe also has the self-esteem of a needy (totally insecure) 16 year old girl (which Thisbe was), it is very challenging.

Thisbe feels like Hyacinth Hippo from Fantasia (the hippo in the tutu who dances around). Hyacinth thinks she's gorgeous, but really, she is a mack truck in pointe shoes.

Thisbe is very worried that she will look like a mack truck, although in boots. A mack truck that cannot sing and forgets her lines. ARGH.

2. Thisbe attended the Westminster Dog Show with the WK, PBB, Mrs. Weef and Miss Sophie. An excellent time was had by all, although next year - we go on Tuesday. The friendlier dogs (read: dog owners) seem to be there on Tuesday.

Today's Project: Gossamer Shawl (gray shawl is finished (and sold!), starting a black shawl)

Today's Life Observation: If you can't find rocks to make a snowman's face under 6 inches of snow, nuts and bolts will do the trick nicely.

Happy Valentine's Day, INDEED!

2008-02-14T12:11:00.000-08:00

Today is a momentous occasion. The scene: our study.

WK: Mommy, I want to make poopy on the potty.
Thisbe: What? [flabbergasted]
WK: [More insistent, smiling] MOMMY. I want to make poopy on the potty.
Thisbe: Um. Ok. [Goes and gets tiny potty].

[Interlude of approximately 40 minutes during which diaper is removed and WK sits on her potty. WK is very excited to sit on her potty, and keeps insisting that she "wants make poopy". She *refuses* to put her diaper back on.]

Thisbe: [Noting that it is lunchtime, and WK is still refusing to put diaper on]. WK, if you make poopy, we can watch Boowa and Kwala.
WK: YEAH!
Thisbe: [Leaving bathroom to get phone. Returns 30 seconds later.]
WK: I want poopy [starts to get up]
Thisbe: OMG!!!! YOU PEED! YOU PEED IN THE POTTY!
WK: I all done. Boowa and Kwala.

[Diaper goes on with no fuss at all. WK is clearly proud of herself. Repeating "I made poopy in potty". We watch Boowa and Kwala, lunch is eaten]

Sooooooooo......I think the WK just potty-trained herself. Obviously this will be a process, but still.

Thisbe is absolutely stunned. Also unprepared. There is no big-girl underwear, or even pull-ups in the house. Emergency shopping will ensue.

Today's Project: Sparkly silver shawl

Today's Life Observation: Still. Just. Shocked.

A day of weirdness....

2008-02-07T07:59:00.000-08:00

Long story, but Thisbe was stuck in the house for awhile today, waiting for a serviceperson.

To stave off the endless boredom (and inability to shower, lest the serviceperson was missed), Thisbe compiled a bunch of random thoughts/things that happened in the last couple of days.

1) Around 11am, the phone rang and it was the U.S. Marines. As Thisbe looked at the phone, all she could think was "Well. This *will* be interesting. What could they possibly want?"

[Fantasy Conversation]

US Marines: Ms. Thisbe?
Thisbe: yes....
US Marines: Thank Goodness! We have a national security emergency, and need your knitting skills.
Thisbe: Do I have to go to Iraq?
US Marines: No. Just knit a lot and get paid excessively.
Thisbe: I'm in.

What did they really want? A person named Matthew, who does not live here.

2) While retrieving another email lost to the overzealous spam filter on Thisbe's email, Thisbe noted a spam email with the subject "never sleep for it causes early death". Boy. If that is true, Thisbe is in real trouble.

3) As you may recall, dear readers, the WK's musical tastes were giving Thisbe concerns re: homicide. So, Thisbe downloaded a ton of 80s pop, and voila! Now when we get in the car, the WK says "Mommy, I want Erasure song!" followed by "Mommy, TURN UP ERASURE SONG!!!!" (Note: I always make her say please before I do it). And then she sings along "I soooooo loooooove yooooooou"

Heh.

4) For Thisbe's upcoming show (email Thisbe for info!), it has been determined that she gets to wear a corset. Having tried on the corset, the question to pose is: WHY did these things go out of fashion? That corset may be the most flattering thing Thisbe has ever put on (other than her wedding dress).

OK. Enough of the mishmash of thoughts.

Today's Project: Socks for PBB

Today's Life Observation: You never really know what someone is thinking.

These are the people in my neighborhood...

2008-01-30T09:23:00.000-08:00

So. Those of you who went to college with Thisbe will get this. The rest of you may or may not find it funny.

Currently, the WK is watching Sesame Street. On today's episode, Ben Stiller and Telly the monster are singing the classic Sesame Street song "Who are the people in your neighborhood". [Unrelated: at the end of the song Ben Stiller dressed up like a giant cheese and then the puppets got hungry and started chasing him to eat him, which was independently humorous].

At Thisbe's college, there was a comedy group that performed this song, but did not have the same people in the neighborhood. Indeed, the people in that version were not G-rated, to say the least. So of course, all Thisbe can think as she hums along is "The pornographer is a person is your neighborhood"....

Today's Project: A black and silver scarf

Today's Life Observation: Pilates is hard. A lot harder than I thought.

Best! Day! EVER!!!!!!!

2008-01-25T14:47:00.000-08:00

OK. Some of you may have noticed a definite exasperation in Thisbe's recent posts. A certain amount of malaise, as it was (were?).

Well, all that has changed (at least for today). And why?

1) Today Thisbe & the WK joined some Kindermusik friends at a local playspace, and discovered the "gym room" - a room filled with many brightly colored mats, tubes to crawl through, things to climb over and into, and balls to throw. The WK had a *blast* and Thisbe is considering either building her own such room or alternately, living in that one.

2) Thisbe found out last night that we will be having company this weekend, somewhat unexpectedly. While this is nice, the Thisbe house was, to put it delicately, a bit of a sty, due to the exhaustion of the adults in the house. Panicked, Thisbe tried to call Cleaning Lady (who comes occasionally) and although there was initially a problem, she worked it out! So the Thisbe house is all shiny and clean and lovely!

3) For months now, Thisbe has been lamenting the unbelievably lame state of her computer. Specifically, Thisbe sent PBB out to buy a computer shortly before the WK was born, and was not very careful about identifying the particular things he should look for in a computer. Thus, he returned with a computer that appears to have been manufactured somewhere in Eastern Europe. While it performs basic computer functions (e.g. connecting to the internet, displaying a photo) it does so grudgingly, and often will refuse to do any more than that (e.g. refuses to connect to eBay, refuses to edit certain photos). It also refuses to turn off, which is just creepy.

So Thisbe has been coveting a MacBook. And during conversations with our friends at the playspace today, this topic came up. And they pointed out that the CompUSA down the road is going out of business. AND HAD AN APPLE STORE IN IT! All the MacBooks were 15% off, the AppleCare package was 40% off, and the other accoutrements were also on sale!

So Thisbe is writing this from her BRAND NEW MACBOOK!!!!! WOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!

So. Happy. Might. Cry.

Today's Project: Gazing lovingly at new MacBook while watching TV.

Today's Life Observation: Karma, she can be a b*tch, but sometimes, she hooks you UP.

RIP Heath

2008-01-23T10:58:00.000-08:00

So, everyone knows, Heath Ledger, very talented actor, tragic death.

And especially sad because of his little girl, Matilda, who will not get to grow up with her daddy.

The Thisbe household is sends our condolences to Heath's family and loved ones. It is always hard to lose someone, but to have it happen so suddenly and so publicly must be truly devastating.

To lighten the mood (thanks Mamarazzi) here is a link to something that will hopefully make you laugh. (It is actually right on the Mamarazzi page, but just in case...)

Jerry O'Connell - I loved you on Crossing Jordan, I love you even more now.

Today's Project: Not sure yet. We'll see what we feel like knitting.

Today's Life Observation: Shout out to the gay guy at pilates! He totally made fun of the mean lady from last week on my behalf! Woooooooo!

Forget Waterboarding

2008-01-19T17:47:00.000-08:00

[The Scene: In the car, with Thisbe, PBB, & the WK, listening to a Kindermusik CD for approximately the 597th time. The song playing is about a donkey. According to the lyrics "My donkey talk, my donkey walk, my donkey eats with a knife and fork"]

Thisbe: You know. When I listen to this song, I really understand why people go crazy and shoot other people.

PBB: Come on now. The song is just a contributing factor.

Today's Project: All paid wristies complete. Working on wristies for friends.

Today's Life Observation: Take some time to be grateful for what you have.

Updates

2008-01-14T14:30:00.000-08:00

A few updates for Thisbe's dear readers:

1) Thisbe and the Wk returned to the scene of the crime, aka, the playground yesterday to take advantage of the last nice day before the MAJOR STORM*. Upon arriving, Thisbe discovered to her dismay that indeed, the chain of the offending swing was covered in rust. And Thisbe could not remember the last time she got a tetanus shot. So, after the playground (thankfully, without incident - although weirdly the WK seemed to like the swings *more* and not less) it was off to the walk-in clinic for a tetanus shot! Wheeeeeeee!!!!!! Not. Thisbe's arm hurts.

2) The lead who showed up to rehearsal unprepared? Is no longer a lead. She hath been axed. While Thisbe feels bad,** she is also gleeful, as the replacement is her good buddy, Ululate! YAY!!!!!!

*AKA "The storm that never actually happened". And riddle me this: how is it that we got less than 2 inches of snow, but our neighbor children were able to build a full snowman? Three big balls of body and everything??? Are they hoarding snow? Did we really get more like 4 inches but the neighbor children came and stole it to make the snowman while we were sleeping????

**Particularly as the other lead was the part Thisbe originally wanted, and Thisbe has basically been told that if Unprepared Lead hadn't shown up, then Thisbe would have gotten it. Thisbe was also told that the directors would have given Thisbe the other part upon firing Unprepared Lead, but at this point, it would make no sense as Thisbe would have to learn a whole new part and so would Thisbe's replacement. Thisbe is not terribly upset though. Thisbe loves her part. More on that in upcoming posts.

Today's Project: Completion of last pair of wristies for hire.

Today's Life Observation: Yoga is a lot harder than it looks. But still awesome.

Mommy Scars: Or, why WK can no longer go to the playground

2008-01-08T11:25:00.001-08:00

Today, Thisbe and the WK had a playdate with Thisbe's friend Sandra and her adorable son Nate.

As it is a lovely day here, we all decided to go for a walk to the playground near Sandra's house.

We headed over to the playground chatting merrily, with WK & Nate yelling forcefully at passing squirrels, and then everyone got out of their strollers to go play.

Innocent? Right?

WRONG.

By this time, Thisbe had already made several critical rookie mistakes:

1) Thisbe was not wearing practical shoes, but rather, pointy (CUTE!) boots.

2) Thisbe did not bring the diaper bag.

3) Thisbe did not have a change of clothes for herself.

None of this seemed to be much of a problem until Thisbe decided to take the WK on the swings. The swings have been a sore point for the WK, as her mommy loves them, and the WK does not like them, really at all.

In an effort to endear the WK to the swings, Thisbe thought we could go on the swing together.

AND FELL OFF THE SWING.

WITH THE WK IN HER ARMS.

INTO THE MUD.

The WK is physically fine (pupils dilating, cheerful, eating, etc.), as she fell entirely on Thisbe (evidenced by the fact that her outfit has not one iota of mud on it). And really, was just upset to be taken off the slide.

Thisbe? Covered in mud. Lacerated finger. Right arm bruised from inside of elbow to wrist. Also, blisters from walking in stupid cute boots.* Had to return to Sandra's house immediately to administer first aid to finger and borrow sweatpants and sweatshirt from Sandra.

Also, Thisbe is convinced that the WK will be scarred for life, and refuse to ever go on a swing again. Indeed, at some point in kindergarten she'll probably have some kind of PTSD flashback at recess and Thisbe will be called into the principal's office to explain why her daughter was found curled in the fetal position under the swings, sobbing. Fantastic.

*In Thisbe's defense, the playdate was not scheduled for any walking, but rather sitting at Sandra's house and watching the little ones play.

Today's Project: No knitting. Sitting quietly on the couch while the WK naps.

Today's Life Observation: Should have stuck to the slide.

I know you're never supposed to talk about it....

2008-01-06T14:18:00.000-08:00

...but. Politics.

Look. Thisbe is trying to be as calm and openminded as the next person, but she has to ask: SERIOUSLY REPUBLICANS*???? SERIOUSLY????? Your choice appears to be Huckabee?

Can anyone clarify this for Thisbe? Is Thisbe somehow mistaken that he appears to be insane? Did anyone else see his patent LIE regarding Pakistani immigrants when Bhutto was assassinated?

Ok. Sorry. Sorry. Thisbe understands that politics are quite a hot-button issue, and that somewhere out there there are people who (for reasons that completely escape Thisbe) love themselves some Huckabee, but COME. ON.

How about Romney, Republicans? He seems to be pretty rational. Admittedly a little mean, but at least he does not appear to just intentionally *lying*.

Sorry. Ok. I'll stop now.

*Note to Republicans who do not like Huckabee, sorry to lump you into one group there, but if it makes you feel any better, Thisbe wants John Edwards, and it doesn't seem like the rest of the Democrats are listening. DEMOCRATS! ARE YOU ALL IDIOTS? NOMINATE EDWARDS!!!!!

Today's Project: Finished Spiderweb Scarf. Two sets of wristies to go.

Today's Life Observation: One can never be too young for Madonna.

Love!

2008-01-02T21:34:00.000-08:00

Tonight was my first rehearsal for our spring G & S show, in which (the universe willing) I will be playing a lead.

I was quite concerned about the rehearsal, as I have the MOTHER of all colds, and was not terribly pleased about having to sing in front of the whole group hacking and wheezing and generally not at 100%.

However, my issues *paled* in comparison to that of one of the other leads, who, despite being cast in October, apparently chose not to look at her music until tonight.

Music director? Not amused.

Conversely, the pinnacle of the night was meeting our new stage director.

:LOVE:

Is it wrong that Thisbe wants to just put him in her pocket and bring him home? He started a company that focuses on educational youth theater!!!! LOVE!!!! LOVE I SAY!!!!!

[Sigh] He's dreamy. He instructed Thisbe to wear funky boots to rehearsal on Monday to get into character. How we love him so.

Today's Project: Olive Green Spiderweb Scarf

Today's Life Observation: Drunken guys in bars? Should not start conversations about shoes. Anyone's shoes.

Just don't make my daemon a spider

2007-12-25T21:01:00.000-08:00

You'll see what I mean...

Today's Project: Finishing, what else, wristies!

Today's Life Observation: Wine? Good! 3 glasses of wine? 3 times as good!

The bloodiest sport...

2007-12-19T19:47:00.000-08:00

Thisbe has found a new sport*: Competitive Knitting.

Oh. Yeah.

It is ON. ON I SAY!

There is a competitive knitting event coming up in March, and I assure you. Thisbe is IN.

[Sharpening of knitting needles, flexing of fingers, playing of "Rocky" theme]

*Shout out to The Little Blond for alerting Thisbe to this.

Today's Project: Big shock. More da*n wristies.

Today's Life Observation: Nobody's on nobody's side.

I'm UP!

2007-11-30T23:14:00.000-08:00

Earlier this evening, Thisbe drank a Diet Coke.

It is now 2:15 am. Thisbe is WIDE AWAKE. Because Thisbe forgot the cardinal rule of drinks: no caffeine.

In a desperate attempt to get tired, Thisbe went to the alumni site for her high school.

Several interesting things to note:

1) Exactly ONE of Thisbe's high school friends is registered on the alumni site. Someone Thisbe no longer talks to. All remaining friends (like Thisbe) appear to totally disdain the site.

2) Many of the people in Thisbe's graduating class have children now (not surprising).

3) Many of the people in Thisbe's graduating class who have children felt the need to post pictures of those children on their profiles. Let's just say, it was a better choice for some people than for others.

4) At least one person who Thisbe went to high school with posed for Playboy, but may well have changed her mind about whether that was a good idea as she now has an uber-Christian blog.

5) Quite a few of the registered alumni are unmarried.

6) The unmarried alumni do not appear to be part of the unbelievably geeky crowd (aka Thisbe & her friends), rather, many of them were part of the "popular" crowd. Could they have [gasp] peaked in high school? Heh.

7) Sadly, (really) at least three classmates (of the 48 registered) have gotten divorced. [Thisbe knows this because of the way their profiles have changed over the last several years].

8) Thisbe has spoken to exactly ONE person on the list of 48 people from her graduating class in the last 7 years. And only because she ran into this person during a visit to the Ancestral Home.

Thisbe is not sure what any of this means, but is sure of one thing: No more diet coke.

Today's Project: Wristies, wristies, wristies

Today's Life Observation: Writer's strike? Bad for Thisbe's TV. WRITERS! PLEASE FIX!

Fitness Death Star

2007-11-12T19:55:00.000-08:00

Recently, Thisbe's gym has been the subject of a great deal of rumor and innuendo.

According to the Senior Citizen Posse (SCP) that hangs out at the gym when Thisbe works out, the gym is about to be taken over by Planet Fitness.

This is a situation of grave concern at the gym.

The SCP is upset because Planet Fitness is known for having only machines and no classes.

Without classes the SCP has no reason to come to the gym, hang out for 3 hours drinking coffee, smoking (really) and gossiping, and claiming that it was "exercise".

Thisbe is upset for an entirely different reason, as part of Planet Fitness's streamlined, evil-empire regime is that: there is no babysitting.

Without babysitting, Thisbe essentially cannot go to the gym during the day, thus eliminating all hope of Thisbe going to the gym.* This also eliminates any hope of Thisbe actually getting healthy or losing weight.

Thisbe is pondering whether to enlist the SCP in a rebellion to defend the gym and destroy the neighboring Planet Fitness (down the street), thus protecting our way of life and Pilates on Thursdays. I envision a scene where the current gym owners are boxed in with walkers and the Planet Fitness people run screaming from their machines at the sight of the many elderly people brandishing their yoga mats and spouting nonsensical stories about lines at the DMV.

*Not to mention creating some serious unhappiness for the WK, who has come to adore the gym babysitter and the many exciting gym toys.

Today's Project: Completion of many sets of wristies. Full explanation forthcoming.

Today's Life Observation: Politicians? Really NOT smarter than the rest of us.

Candy Corn!

2007-11-01T16:20:00.001-07:00

They were out of candy corn at our grocery store.

So I made some myself.

Hope everyone had a great Halloween!

Vive la Pants!

2007-10-22T09:31:00.000-07:00

In a stunning victory for Thisbe, this past weekend [drumroll please] THISBE WAS ABLE TO WEAR SKINNY JEANS!

That's right, people. Skinny. Jeans. Seven Jeans. We're not saying that they fit as well as they did the day we bought them. But still: SKINNY JEANS.

And, while wearing them, someone actually mistook Thisbe for a high school student. HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

Buoyed by this success, Thisbe tried on a pair of size [blank] pants. Note that Thisbe has been unable to get into size [blank] pants for some time. It is the goal pant size, and so far, Thisbe has only been able to fit into size [blank + 2]. Indeed, for a long time Thisbe was wearing size [blank + 4].

But yesterday! SIZE [BLANK]!!!!!!!!

Squeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!

Today's Project: Completion of the WK's Halloween Costume. Pictures to be posted shortly.

Today's Life Observation: Outlet Mall does not always equal cheap.

Are you laughing with me?

2007-09-17T20:39:00.000-07:00

PBB & Thisbe are two *very* different people. People who love each other. But different people.

Nowhere is this more apparent then when they are watching television.

PBB laughs out loud constantly. Indeed, he has woken up the WK with his laughter. Thisbe rarely, if ever, laughs out loud. This does not mean that she does not find something to be funny, but she just doesn't laugh out loud at TV, or when reading a book or magazine, or watching a movie.

There are exceptions to this phenomenon.

One of them is the incredibly stupid, but hilarious movie Just Friends. I have no idea why it is so funny. Maybe no one but Thisbe and PBB think it is funny. But every time Thisbe sees it, she laughs hysterically, out loud. [Anna Faris, I have not given you the credit you deserve: I like girls! DARLA!].

The other exception is a book that Thisbe read a couple of weeks ago. Thisbe will be revealing the name of this book in an upcoming post, however (not to hype it too much): THIS BOOK IS THE FUNNIEST BOOK I HAVE EVER READ.

This book was so awesome that Thisbe is in the process of purchasing it for all of her RL friends, as several of them have upcoming birthdays (ahem, Weef, ahem 5280Mommy) or birthday presents owed to them (ahem, Little Blond), and I have to say, it will be one of my greatest presents ever.

As soon as the books are purchased and distributed, I will write a longer post about it, but I just had to point out: I laughed out loud *through the entire book*. This has never happened before. And I have some funny books.

Today's Project: Keep watching this space, we are now days away from an announcement.
Today's Life Observation: No matter what the dentist says? Getting a cavity filled is not fun.

Bear with me...

2007-08-27T20:16:00.000-07:00

...for a moment, while I write a post that is all sorts of doting about the WK.

This weekend, the WK learned how to sing.

As a major singer, you can only imagine Thisbe's glee when from behind the couch I heard her teeny wee voice singing (over and over) "Op-em shu dem" (Open, shut them).

Seriously. Cutest thing ever. Sorry, I know I am being a big dorky Mommy. But there it is.

Also, today she learned how to sing the "E-i-e-i-o" part of Old McDonald.

I will be teaching her "With Cat-like Tread" tomorrow. I am sure her daddy will be thrilled.*

AND, on today's walk, we saw a dog, who was quite friendly and was letting the WK pet him, and was licking her enthusiastically in return.**

We see dogs a lot, and we have petted dogs before. As previously mentioned, the WK is *very* fond of dogs, but for some reason, today, she was practically apoplectic with excitement. We have never heard her laugh so hard. It was fantastic.

*In a sick ironic life twist (for him), PBB does not like Gilbert & Sullivan.

**Spare me the emails about letting a dog lick the WK. It was a very well-kept, clean dog, and it was licking her toes.

Today's Project: Watch this space for an exciting announcement regarding a special knitting venture

Today's Life Observation: Sk8er Boi is back. But if he keeps on getting up to skate at 7:30am? Then he's not back for long.

A weekend of things....

2007-08-13T20:11:00.000-07:00

Beginning my 100 things, to be exact.

Thisbe's 100 things now reside here.

Come and visit. The list countdown has begun! Due to the lame list capacity of eblogger, I will temporarily just be identifying items as completed, hopefully strikethrough capacity will arrive soon.

Anyway. This weekend, the Thisbe family went on the road, to visit the Weef family, meet Miss Sophie, and head on down to the City of Brotherly Love.

An excellent weekend was had by all (particularly the WK, who scored a new Cookie Monster toy, courtesy of the Weefs, and got a ton of attention, and got out of bed VERY early, so she could poke her Mommy and Daddy in the eyes while they were still trying to sleep a little).

So check it out!

Today's Project: MBP #2 is done, and has been gifted. MBP #1 is soooo close.

Today's Life Observation: Children do not like to eat vegetables. At all.

S*x and the Psychiatric Ward

2007-08-08T07:21:00.000-07:00

Seen the new commercial for Sarah Jessica Parker's latest fragrance, Covet? No? You're lucky. The psychotic look in her eyes at the end of it will haunt me for years to come. (Also, why would someone break into a museum to get perfume wearing a couture ball gown?) SJP! We love you! Get the help you so desperately need!

Today's Project: Nearing simultaneous completion of MBP #1 & #2

Today's Life Observation: Any day someone helps you clean the house is a good day.

Hellllllllloooooooo Kitty!

2007-08-04T07:51:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, in celebration of PBB's upcoming birthday (HAPPY BIRTHDAY PBB!), we went out to dinner with the WK & his parents. We sat outside (we were the only ones at the restaurant who did) and after dinner PBB took the WK for a little walk near the restaurant.

About 5 minutes later he brought her back, crying hysterically. We all wanted to know what happened.

According to PBB, they had walked by a small creek a few hundred feet away and suddenly the WK became *very* excited and starting squealing and pointing to something in the creek. PBB initially thought it was a cat. But it was not. It was a raccoon. WK was waving furiously at it and saying "Peas! Peas!" (Please, please) desperate to go over and pet it.

PBB hightailed it out of there, much to her chagrin.

Today's Project: MBP #2 (#1 is completely done! Just sewing it together!)

Today's Life Observation: August is WAY too hot.

100 Things to do

2007-07-26T16:03:00.000-07:00

OK. After hearing that yet another person Thisbe knows is mortally ill, Thisbe has decided it is time to start doing the things she has always wanted to do. So Thisbe has created a list (see sidebar), which will shortly consist of 100 things.

Beginning soon, Thisbe is going to attempt to do at least one of these things each week. It might take a week or a month or a year to complete them, but Thisbe will chronicle the effort. Also, Thisbe will accept suggestions to add to the list, but no promises as to whether they will make it on there. In addition, as soon as an item has been completed, a new item will be added to the list. So there will always be 100 things.

Life is short. Thisbe needs to dance on a bar.

Today's Project: Finishing a few things.

Today's Life Observation: There is nothing more fun than watching the WK in her pool.

Wow.

2007-07-21T20:09:00.000-07:00

OK. I just finished reading Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows. I admit it. I cried at the end. It was just such an overwhelming feeling to know that I was saying goodbye to all of the characters (regardless of whether they "survived").

I am sure that hardcore fans will have all sorts of nitpicky comments, and I have already seen several people criticizing the "epilogue", but overall, I thought it was a great book, and I will miss Harry and his friends.

Also, for those of you who finished reading the book, who I know IRL, there were two things that bugged me that I felt were unresolved. Email me. We'll talk.

In which I meet Darth Vader.

2007-07-15T20:03:00.001-07:00

Yesterday was Thisbe's birthday. Thisbe is [number deleted] years old!

Happy Birthday to Thisbe!

Thisbe received many wonderful presents from her family (some of whom have asked not to be identified on this blog, but Thisbe must single out her sister, who got her an autographed copy of a book Thisbe LOVES) and some *fantastic* Chanel beauty products from Mrs. Weef [PINK!!!! SPARKLY!!!!! Woooooooooo!!!!].

Thisbe also got to go out to dinner with PBB, the Wee Kraken*, and her parents to one of her favorite restaurants, and then to the local playhouse (not a community theater, but a well known venue that is sponsored and run by several famous actors) to see a play.

And indeed, who was at the play as well? James Earl Jones! And Thisbe met him and shook his hand. [Note: Thisbe was something of a dork here, and kicks herself, but blames excessive champagne consumption at dinner for this].

It was neat.

*Who took a break from her present position of "if I asked for something, and I don't get it, I'll scream so that you can hear me better." Thank you, wee kraken.

Today's Project: Watch this space for an exciting knitting announcement!

Today's Life Observation: Napping is the best part of a lazy Sunday afternoon.

Me luuuuuuuurves the drinky.

2007-07-11T17:21:00.000-07:00

Sangria is good. Chocolate is good. Wine is good.

All good. All at my house. YAY firm event! Yay babysitter!

Yay delicious tapas food that firm paid for! YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY!

:)

Today's Project: Drinking sangria. Mmmmmmmmmmmmm......sangria.

Today's Life observation: Mmmmmmmmmmmm......sangria.

Phase 14 mos: Take it out, put it away

2007-07-11T09:40:00.001-07:00

I am currently sitting with a lapful of (clean) diapers which the wee kraken systematically removed from the storage space in the changing area, one by one, and toddled over to hand me. She was not content unless I held each one in *exactly the same way*, and once she had taken all of them out I thought she would stop.

Instead she is repeating this exercise with the pieces from her Melissa & Doug insect puzzle. So in addition to a lapful of diapers I also have a wooden bee, butterfly, ladybug, and fly.

And now a pink stuffed elephant.

I am not sure why I need to hold all of these things, but what makes it awesome is the babbling narrative that goes with each item.

WK: deeeddddddllleee. ladadaldadada. Dah. [Hands up item]
Thisbe: Um. Ok. I'll hold it.
WK: [Enormous smile] Nash! Heh. Da-hum. [toddles off to get another item].
Thisbe: I'll just hold this then.
WK: Deeeeeeeeeedle!!!!

Today's Project: Pointy border for project that is taking FOREVER.

Today's Life Observation: Conversations do not have to be in a recognizable language to be interesting.

Fat Women Can't Swim

2007-07-09T12:55:00.000-07:00

Thisbe made the enormous mistake of looking for a bathing suit today.

It was, undoubtedly, one of the most hideous experiences Thisbe has had to date, and remember, Thisbe was in labor for 18 hours.

The upshot: (which is not news) if you are not a pre-teen semi-anorexic girl, you cannot find a flattering bathing suit, and g*d help you if you are bigger than a size 6 and under the age of 65. In that case you have the choice of looking like an idiot in pre-teen swimwear, or appearing to be wearing your grandmother's bathing suit. Thisbe needs a big drink.

Today's Project: Staying cool. It is approximately 1 billion degrees outside.

Today's LIfe Observation: The bathing suit industry actually hates women.

Happy Thoughts, People.

2007-06-26T07:13:00.000-07:00

OK. It is very important that everyone reading this thinks happy thoughts today.

Thisbe's brother-in-law is having very serious surgery, and we need lots and lots of good wishes flowing his way.

We'll keep you posted.

Today's Project: Just getting through the day.

Today's Life Observation: Tell the people you love that you love them. Please.

Pet peeves

2007-06-22T13:46:00.000-07:00

1. To the customers at Stop n' Shop. DO NOT PARK in the "Customer with Infant" parking if you are not a customer with an infant. There is a reason for that parking. A shrieking, writhing, angry little reason, that really cannot take the extra walk from the car or waiting to get a cart which must be brought to the car. I've been there, and I too have been tempted, but please. If you don't have the kid, don't take the space

2. To the other parents at my gym. A 7 year old does not want to hang out in babysitting with giant Legos while you work out on the elliptical machine for 2 hours. And that 7 year old will behave badly, causing the poor babysitting lady to go crazy, which is no good for anyone. If school is over, and camp hasn't started yet, perhaps you need to get your exercise by taking your child for a nature walk. Or chasing him/her around the house/mall. Whatever. Just stop messing with my babysitters at the gym.

3. To the parents of the kids on my street. Letting your kids scream as loudly as they can, all in a group, so loudly that the neighbor lady thinks that one of them has been run down by an errant teenager, is not OK. Please teach your children that screaming? Is not a game.

4. To my garbage man. Taking our garbage does not require being loud. Some mornings (this morning) you are not loud, and I appreciate that. Some mornings (last week) you feel the need to make every single item in the garbage hit the truck individually, and also to comment loudly upon it. On those mornings, you kill the precious few moments I have to sleep before the wee kraken awakens, and usually you wake her up too. I beg you. If it is before 7am, please keep it down.

Today's project: Completion of several things! Pictures coming soon.

Today's Life Observation: Fridays were made for drinking.

PS. It appears that Thisbe's flirtation with the film industry is over, as she did not receive a call to be in Indiana Jones 4. Rats.

And yet, Harrison was nowhere to be seen....

2007-06-12T20:08:00.000-07:00

That's right folks. Thisbe and the Wee Kraken went to an open casting call to be an extra in: Indiana Jones 4.

This is the closest that Thisbe has gotten to a movie set since Twelve Monkeys shot on UPenn's campus.*

While we both anticipated a long wait (news articles regarding this event from the previous day indicated that some people had been in line for upwards of 3 hours), we set out early and arrived at 11 am.

It was sort of anti-climatic. There was really no line.** The whole process took about 40 minutes. Weirdly, they wanted to know if Thisbe had cheerleading experience (no) and her glove size (????).

Unfortunately, the Wee Kraken was ineligible to apply to be an extra, as she is under 18. However, the casting director agreed that she was super-cute, and took her picture too.

We'll know (theoretically) in a couple of weeks, but even if this is not Thisbe's springboard to fame, it was still kind of a fun thing to do.

*Sadly, Brad Pitt was not there. Just a bunch of elephants. Cute, but not Brad Pitt cute.

**There was actually a short-ish line of people, and naughty Thisbe spent the majority of the short wait trying to decide if she was cuter than various other people in line. Answer: Thisbe was cuter than about 1/2 of those people, but not so much cuter than several college co-eds who were clearly going with the "play to my looks" (aka dress a little slutty) strategy. Thisbe was comforted by the fact that extras do not all have to be college co-eds, and the Wee Kraken was way cuter than all of us.

Today's Project: Mishmash of things to finish

Today's Life Observation: Never, ever, leave the house without a full tupperware of Cheerios.

Hire me, da*nit!!!!!!

2007-06-06T13:06:00.000-07:00

So. It is time for Thisbe to return to the rat race.

Today Thisbe had a job interview. PBB has a more positive outlook on the report, but Thisbe (who was there) does not think it went particularly well.

Specifically, Thisbe just did not seem to have the right answers, or any answers to the incredibly pointed questions that were posed. There were a lot of hypothetical "SO, Ms. Thisbe. If you experienced Situation A (a situation with which Thisbe has limited experience), how would you proceed", and then Thisbe giving an answer, and then the interviewers pointing out something that Thisbe now thinks she should have known which would have been the key to the correct (?) answer.

All in all, Thisbe feels like a moron.

And really, if there are any people seeking someone for employment, Thisbe is an excellent, hard-working employee who is very passionate about the non-profit work that she loves.

So give Thisbe a chance.

Today's Project: Vest. etc.

Today's Life Observation: You never realize how stupid you are until someone else points it out.

Pirates!

2007-05-25T05:36:00.000-07:00

OOOOOOOOOH!

Thisbe just loves some pirates.** And Thisbe saw the 8pm showing of Pirates of The Caribbean 3 last night. For those of you who are planning on seeing it this weekend, Thisbe will not give away any of the movie info except to say: Orlando Bloom? WAY hotter than he was in previous movies. Much more dark and brooding. Yum.

Also, someone gets to be a Pirate King. Thisbe is extremely jealous. Thisbe has *always* wanted to be the Pirate King. This Pirate King did not sing the great G & S song though, so, Thisbe is slightly less jealous. Just slightly.

**But not enough to watch the UNBELIEVABLY STUPID reality show where people pretend to be pirates to win money.

Today's Project: Vest to hopefully wear to a wedding this weekend

Today's Life Observation: Arrrrrrrrr!

Happy Birthday Wee Kraken!!!!

2007-05-04T08:52:00.000-07:00

One year ago today, was the best day of my life.*

And here she is.

*Tied, of course, with my wedding day

Today's Project: Completion of party favors for a very special first birthday party

Today's Life Observation: The Thisbe family is so lucky to have such a wonderful girl.

Not that I'm an expert

2007-04-23T19:02:00.000-07:00

But a note to the parents across the street:

Thisbe has some concern regarding your offspring. We will call him Young Sk8er Boi. We will call him this because for the last week*, for approximately 23 hours a day, Young Sk8er Boi (who we think is about 10 years old) has been outside in your driveway, apparently fused to his skateboard, and alternately skating over his skateboard ramp**, and dragging it all over the driveway.

This raises concerns for 3 reasons.

First, Thisbe has noted that Young Sk8er Boi has absolutely no protective gear: no helmet, no knee or elbow pads, nada. So if he were to take a tumble, we imagine that his injuries would be unpleasant.

Then again, bringing us to concern #2: we have *never* seen you outside watching Young Sk8er Boi, so we imagine you would not notice.

Finally, the incessant noise of both the skating and the dragging of the skateboard ramp is driving the Thisbe family CRAZY, particularly since it starts (true story) at 7:30 am. Every day. Including weekends. We here at the Thisbe family like to sleep in on the weekends. We are training the wee kraken to do so, and the pre-dawn skateboard warm-up is not helping matters. We are concerned we may have to disable the ramp while Young Sk8er Boi is sleeping (we think he sleeps, we can't be sure).

Soooooooo......how about you lighten up with the skateboarding? No. Seriously. Because otherwise Thisbe will be forced to serenade you with The Mikado at 2am, and we don't think you will like that.

*It was spring break, so he did not have school. But he is out there every waking minute when he is not at school as well.

**We think the ramp may have been a Christmas or birthday present, as it was not around in the last few years we have lived here.

Today's Project: A mishmash.

Today's Life Observation: Lovely weather? Lovely mood.

Thisbe is moving to Canada

2007-04-18T07:30:00.000-07:00

See this?

This is the unfortunate turn of events Thisbe predicted upon the election of our "fearless" leader.

And I am extraordinarily sorry to say that it is happening.

Today's Project: Whatever

Today's Life Observation: O Canada! Our home and native land!

And the hits just keep on coming...

2007-04-17T06:51:00.000-07:00

So. Yesterday Thisbe notices that the house is a little cold. Indeed, the poor wee kraken had tiny cold hands, so Thisbe immediately goes over to the thermostat to turn up the heat and....wait a minute. The heat is up to 72, but the temperature reads 65, and there is no heat coming out of the vents. Not good. No heat. Fortunately Thisbe's house has 2 gas fireplaces which kept the Thisbe family warm last night, since the service man couldn't come until today.

In other news, Thisbe *finally* gets to sleep after checking the wee kraken to make sure she was not frozen, and is suddenly awoken by a high pitched whining noise (not made by the wee kraken).

PBB, half-asleep, also notes the irritating noise. Thisbe walks all over the house to locate the source of the noise and ultimately determines that the noise is coming from a large green fluffy frog puppet owned by the wee kraken. Normally the puppet croaks as you open and close its mouth to the tunes of "London Bridge", "Old MacDonald" and "Frere Jacques". However, at 1:30 am, it decided to die, and make the horrible noise to herald its ascent to the choir invisible.

To stop the frog, Thisbe had to locate a screwdriver, unscrew the back of the battery pack and take out a battery. At 1:30 am. This toy is lucky to not be in many pieces, as it would have been a lot easier to whack it with a hammer at that point.

Argh.

Today's Project: You know. You know what I'm working on.

Today's Life Observation: Fireplace. Good.

Loop? What Loop?

2007-04-12T20:23:00.000-07:00

I tell you. Thisbe is so out of the loop, she cannot even see the loop.

Thisbe is not even sure there is a loop. Stupid loop.

Reese Witherspoon is dating Jake Gyllenhaal? WHAT? How did I miss this? Seriously. Pre-kraken, I would have not only known about this at least a week ago, I would have known when they started dating, when/if they have been spotted together, and which magazine will be first to have pics.**

Oh, indeed I am lame, my friends. Shame on Thisbe. Letting her popular culture intel go so far astray.

Pathetic.

**Don't judge me for being all "superficial" you supposedly pretentious academic types. Thisbe knows that you are secretly reading US Weekly and watching The Soup. THAT'S RIGHT! I SEE YOU OVER THERE!

Today's Project: The end is in sight for MBP #1. Thank GOODNESS.

Today's Life Observation: Rain sucks. Also, isn't it supposed to be spring? Am I out of the loop on that one too????

Recharging.

2007-04-11T19:28:00.000-07:00

Thisbe has spent a great deal of time with the Thisbe family in the last two weeks. Thisbe LOVES her family, but they are WAY high energy, and frankly? Thisbe is exhausted.**

Amid a whirlwind of shopping and driving and traveling (oh my!), Thisbe is hoping for a slightly quieter next couple of weeks, hopefully with less drama (see previous post re: various illnesses).

Also, more frequent posts (and phone calls, to those of you Thisbe knows IRL).

**Notably, the wee kraken is also exhausted, so it is not just Thisbe. The wee kraken slept for 2 hours this afternoon!

Today's Project: A final push on the MBP #1. That kid will be in college if I don't get cracking.

Today's Life Observation: The couch is LOVE.

Where to begin?

2007-04-03T20:05:00.000-07:00

So.

On the good news front, the Passport Authority (aka the Wizard of Oz), deigned to allow the Thisbe family to take the Wee Kraken to Canada for her very first Passover. As it turns out, the Wee Kraken is quite a lovely traveler, and also, really enjoyed the Passover festivities. She was quite enthusiastic about the hordes of adoring relatives, particularly her boy cousins, who thought she was extremely cool. She looooooooved them. She was also very fond of her plush Passover Seder plate (a gift from Thisbe's aunt and uncle), complete with plush Seder objects (look wee kraken! Plush lettuce! To symbolize herbs! Or, a stylish tiny hat!); and, her Four Questions Finger puppets (A gift from Thisbe's other aunt and uncle. Thisbe's favorite is the reclining chair. Hilarious, I tell you).

On the not-so-good news front, as most of you readers know Thisbe IRL, you know that the last 6 weeks have unfortunately, been unpleasant, which is why there have been so few posts (Thisbe feels quite guilty about being a Debbie Downer to all her loved ones).

To sum up: in the last 6 weeks, three separate family members of Thisbe & PBB's families have been diagnosed with life-threatening illnesses. This is causing major havoc in the Thisbe household, and if you have any spare happy thoughts, we could use them. We here at the Thisbe household also apologize for being generally flaky and not getting back to our loved ones as promptly as we would normally like. We are working on it. Also, Thisbe will try to keep the depressing posts to a minimum.

Today's Project: Finishing up MBP #1 and working on a special birthday gift for the Wee Kraken.

Today's Life Observation: You never know how much you will miss bread until it is Passover....again. (Or, I suppose, if you go on the low-carb diet).

Karma. She is a B*TCH

2007-03-22T22:00:00.000-07:00

So, the ticket line continues to frustrate me practically to the point of homicidal rage.

Indeed, I received EIGHT separate email and phone messages regarding one ticket order, and it was a miracle that this ticket holder did not receive tickets for the February 29th performance, located in our Baghdad theater, if you get my drift.

However, all of my negative ticket karma has come back to bite me, as I am now on hold with [scary music] the U.S. Passport office. PBB & I are taking the wee kraken to Canada for her first Passover, and we checked all of the online regulations, and applied well in advance of our trip, but our trip is fast approaching, and (surprise, surprise, surprise).....no wee kraken passport.**

So I am frantically attempting to figure out how the heck we are going to get to Canada, and/or get her a passport, and cursing the stupid government for messing with us about this, since it is a new regulation that went into effect a mere 6 weeks ago, after we applied for her passport. Grrrrrrrrrrrrrr......

**Applying for a passport for an infant is kind of hilarious. You have to fill out the form as if she is a quasi-adult being, and fill out boxes that say things like "Occupation". What do you put for that? Drooling? Playing with a blue plastic ring? Peek-a-boo? Also, when they took the picture, it was hysterical. Her tiny little head and complete confusion. If we ever actually get the passport, it will be pretty funny.

Today's Project: All knitting has been abandoned in favor of the stupid tickets and passport issues.

Today's Life Observation: Just hug the people you love and tell them that you love them.

Welcome to December

2007-03-16T07:16:00.000-07:00

Nooooooo....wait a sec.....that's *right*! It is actually March 16!

Apparently, Mother Nature came out of her drug-induced haze or drinking binge, or whatever it was that made it so that we had NO snow in December, and 70 degree weather in January, and realized that she better get cracking if we were going to have a good old fashioned storm before spring is officially here.

So now, we are getting 6 ish inches of snow and ice. Lucky, lucky, us.

And also, lucky, lucky Thisbe, who has been at rehearsal every freaking night until 11 this week, and then had to drive home for 40 minutes, only to have the opening night of our show cancelled.*

Charming.

On the plus side? In the words of the well-known children's author Barbara Boynton "It's PAJAMA time".

*As you can imagine, in addition to the general bummer that is the cancellation of opening night, being the ticket person when a full audience is calling to ask about their tickets for tonight? FUN.

Today's Project: MBP #1 needs to be finished, but Thisbe just does not have the energy.

Today's Life Observation: Snow is a lot less fun in March.

The hours creep on apace....

2007-03-13T21:50:00.000-07:00

There will probably be several late night Thisbe posts this week.

I keep coming back from rehearsal ALL WOUND UP and I can't sleep.

It does not help that recently I am actually having nightmares about the tickets. Last night I dreamt that one of the little ladies followed me to a resort on vacation and accosted me while I was swimming to ask where her tickets were. Thisbe's subconscious? Not terribly subtle.

As I was standing onstage tonight, watching the action from a parapet, I was thinking that I would really like a part where I get a solo. This is probably too enterprising, but still. It might be nice. I get kind of fidgety in the chorus and tend to cause trouble with the other chorus women. Lead roles keep me from distracting other people with my antics.

On a completely unrelated note, PBB confirmed today that all four of our koi perished in a tragic pond motor incident (i.e. the pond motor ceased to function). We are terribly sad, as we had them for almost 3 years, and we were particularly fond of the large bluish silver koi who had a very neat flowy tail. R.I.P. Koi. Your lives were not lost in vain, as we have replaced the motor.

Today's Project: Still finishing MBP #1 -- it will be a couple of weeks, but I am getting there.

Today's Life Observation: I am staying up WAY too late.

So. FREAKING. Tired.

2007-03-12T20:33:00.000-07:00

Ah tech week. How I did not miss you.

So, it is tech week for my show. Tonight's rehearsal included a lot of standing around, and then a lot of running across varied level platforms waving around a banner and then an axe.

I *know* I am going to trip and fall, and hurt myself, and there will be Thisbe blood gushing everywhere, and it will be most unfortunate. Tell the wee kraken that I love her!

Notable also with this show are the clutch of little ladies, who, while they are senior citizens, still love to perform. And in that sense, they are inspirational. I hope I am still spry enough in my late 70s to be wearing armor and wielding a battle axe (true story).

On the other hand, the little ladies find the choreography extremely challenging, and, to use a phrase from the Little Blond, getting them to do stuff is like herding ducks. Ducks who think that younger people are not polite enough these days, and don't respect their elders.

Also, the majority of people attending the show are the friends of the little ladies, and they are a handful too. Thisbe is in charge of tickets, and if one more little lady calls the ticket line while Thisbe is at rehearsal, and then calls back 47 more times (getting increasingly indignant each time because her call has not been answered), and leaving crochety messages, Thisbe will be forced to have a nervous breakdown and scatter the tickets all over the parking lot while singing and dancing.

Also? Thisbe does NOT hand deliver tickets, little ladies. NOT. Thisbe is NOT a delivery service of any kind. Geez.

Sigh. Tomorrow we are supposed to wear our costumes. Thisbe can only imagine the sort of chaos this will entail. On the plus side, AXES people! Thisbe gets to wave around an axe! And look menacing! (Well, as menacing as is possible for the relatively small person that is Thisbe).

Today's Project: Finishing up the MBP! The baby has arrived! Congrats to Mr. & Mrs. Little Blond & Baby Blond!

Today's Life Observation: People individually can be smart. People as a group? Generally stupid.

To market, to market...

2007-03-01T20:53:00.000-08:00

...if ONLY to buy a fat pig.

I wish.

No. I go to market, to apparently be accosted by crazy people.

I admit. When I first realized that I would be at home a lot more (what with the kraken) and would be primarily responsible for grocery shopping duties, I was highly concerned. I am perfectly capable of navigating the grocery store, however, I was not interested in finding out the answer to the question I had posed so many times:

Q: Seriously. Who is shopping in the grocery store at 1:30 on a weekday?

A: Other stay-at-home moms, elderly men and women, and weird looking guys who appear to work the third shift and have the perpetually glazed look of zombies.

Into these larger categories there are subcategories, all having to do with particular mental tics, (e.g. the woman who inspects her car (really) if you just walk past it with a cart; the woman who doesn't check to see if anyone is pulling into the parking space next to her before flinging her door open as widely as she can, the myriad of people who drive aimlessly through the parking lot, as though they were the only car there.)

No matter how careful, or non-threatening I am, these people find me and I end up afraid and disgruntled every freaking time.

It is now clear to me why online grocery shopping is just so darn popular. It is clearly much safer.

[On the plus side, the wee kraken LOVES the grocery store. It is Disneyland to her. Today she was yelling so loudly with glee that I actually had to stop and explain to her that grocery stores are not for yelling. She looked at me as though I was insane. Which, based on the other patrons, was a fair assessment.]

Today's Knitting Project: MBP #1. I will finish it. Oh YES I will.

Today's Life Observation: The older and crappier the car, the more reckless the driver.

I am not a guy.

2007-02-27T10:52:00.000-08:00

Note to all of my guy friends:

I am not a guy. Really. Not a guy.

I do not want to hear about you checking out some other chick, or how some girl you work with/met at a bar/saw on the street is really hot, or the time you went to a strip club.

It might seem like that, because for some reason, you think I am a guy. And I agree, I like sports, I can play poker, and I have been known to drink beer, but I am not, actually a guy. And I know you think that it is all cool, because hey, you can talk to me just like I was a guy!

But not. To reiterate: NOT A GUY.

I have to say, there is nothing that makes a woman feel less attractive than a man telling her how hot other women are. It makes me want to go sign myself into a Swiss plastic surgery clinic for the next six months.

Today's project: MBP #1. We're about 2/3 done.

Today's life observation: Being thin and beautiful does not equal fashion sense. I'm talking to YOU Cameron Diaz.

The adventures of Mr. Bee

2007-02-18T21:57:00.000-08:00

The Thisbe house was full this weekend tonight. We had some friends and family visiting.

So, in an effort to make our house a bit more presentable, Thisbe broke out the vacuum cleaner the afternoon before our guests arrived.

Thisbe loves the vacuum cleaner (as much as one can reasonably love a vacuum cleaner), because it is a central vacuum system, and is relatively lightweight and easy to maneuver, and makes vacuuming about as painless as it can be (noting that Thisbe hates housework). So Thisbe is vacuuming along merrily, and notices that the wee kraken's Exersaucer, is as usual, festooned with the remnants of approximately 1,000 cheerios. So, Thisbe detaches the tube from the vacuum to suck up the cheerios.

In doing so, however, Thisbe inadvertently sucked up one of the wee kraken's toys (Mr. Bee, the wrist rattle). This turned out to be both unfortunate and hilarious.

The immediate effect of Mr. Bee's abduction was that there was a serious loss of suction to the vacuum tube. Initially, we hoped that Mr. Bee had traveled, Willy-Wonka like, down to the filter in the basement, but PBB checked, and there was no Mr. Bee.

PBB next attempted to rescue Mr. Bee with a wire coat hanger, but again, without success. It was at this point that we started laughing, and continued laughing for the next 1/2 hour while the process continued.

Needless to say, no vacuuming could be completed during this mission, and it was a significant concern that Thisbe had ruined the central vacuum system entirely.

We subsequently determined that Mr. Bee had become lodged somewhere in the tube, but could not quite figure out where, until (crack detectives that we are) we realized that we could pinpoint his location by shaking the tube to find the rattling noise. Once we found him, we also realized that if we twisted the tube a bit, and turned the vacuum on and off (carefully) Mr. Bee would get sucked farther and farther down. So we were eventually able to get him to the other end of the tube, before he entered the tubing in the wall, and extricate him from his dusty vacuum prison with the wire hanger.

We have washed him, and are happy to report that he (and the vacuum) are none the worse for the incident, and the antics that we engaged in to get him out caused so much laughter, that Thisbe thinks she will remember this for the next time we all need a good chuckle.

Best in Show

2007-02-15T07:19:00.000-08:00

So, on Tuesday, Thisbe accomplished a dream of several years: to go to the Westminster Dog Show.

Thisbe was accompanied on this exciting outing by (as usual) the wee kraken, and also Mrs. Weef, who took a day off of work (wooooooooo!) to enjoy the festivities.

Thisbe and Mrs. Weef enjoyed the show tremendously, particularly all of the dogs that we got to see and pet in the "benching area" (backstage), and getting to walk on the big green astroturf-y ring area. Thisbe and Mrs. Weef are notorious impulse buyers so, it was good that they do not actually have dogs for purchase at the show, as we were having such a wonderful time with all the dogs that we would both have purchased dogs of our very own. But then Thisbe and Mrs. Weef would be divorced from our respective husbands, who made it *very* clear that they were not interested in being dog owners at the present time.

But our enjoyment PALED in comparison to that of the wee kraken.

She screamed with excitement and pointed (a new trick) every time she saw a dog, for a total of approximately 1,000 times, and her mouth was open pretty much the entire time we were there. It was clearly one of the most exciting days EVER. She slept quite soundly on the way home, and that night as well.

I imagine that when we attend Kindermusik on Friday she will still be talking about it with the other babies.

It was a wonderful day, and we look forward to making it an annual event (although next year we are going to try and go on Monday to see all of the Toy Dogs), and next year we can bring Baby Weef too!

Today's Project: MBP #1. Like you didn't know.

Today's Life Observation: I have a song to sing-o!

An Inconvenient Truth about Snow Days

2007-02-14T10:41:00.000-08:00

So. Today is an Official Snow Day. All of the schools in the area are closed. There are teeny ice pellets attacking my windows. It is officially unpleasant.

Normally, I very much enjoy snow days. I tried to get the wee kraken into the spirit of the day this morning by encouraging her to snuggle with me in bed and watch the school closings scroll by* after her morning feed, but she was uninterested, as, currently, every day is a snow day for her, so she did not understand what the fuss was about.

Today, however, the Official Snow Day is causing all sorts of problems.

First and foremost it is Valentine's Day (Happy Valentine's Day to you all! May you have a year full of chocolate and love, as indicated by the hallmarks of this day). PBB & I had plans to ditch the wee kraken with her grandparents for a couple of hours and have a Real Romantic Date at one of my favorite restaurants. Unfortunately, the restaurant is about 40 minutes away, and, to get there we must drive on the ice slicks that the stupid Official Snow Day was called for, so I am not terribly interested in going and risking life and limb for macaroni & cheese with truffles.

Second, the reason we chose this particular restaurant is because it is located within 10 minutes of the grandparents and the rehearsal for Thisbe's show (which is currently scheduled for 7:30 pm). The idea was to have dinner, then PBB would pick up the kraken and head home, and Thisbe would head to rehearsal. Current weather predictions indicate that the weather will be equally hideous tonight, so there is a chance that there will be no rehearsal, and then it would be completely pointless to drive all the way over there to have dinner in an ice storm.

The result of these complications is that Thisbe is not motivated to do anything today, because it is completely unclear what the day will actually bring, and it is impossible to make any sort of decision about it (e.g. even if there is rehearsal, should Thisbe go? If there is no rehearsal, should Thisbe still go to dinner?). Also, it is too disgusting to take the wee kraken anywhere. Thisbe is hoping for some direction on all of these fronts in the near future.

Today's Project: MBP #1. As usual.

Today's Life Observation: Black truffle popcorn? A GOOD idea.

*I LOVE watching school closings on snow days. Love it. I think it is just a little hangover from childhood, but I get a warm fuzzy feeling from seeing that schools are closed. I find myself rooting for my local school district to be closed, and for the schools of any friends' areas to be closed.

When H*ll freezes over...

2007-02-07T21:04:00.000-08:00

....I will not be all that surprised, because it is FREEZING. And I feel bad for whining about it, since it is not all that cold compared to previous winters, but MAN ALIVE, I am getting desperate for some spring (and all nostalgic of the heat wave from this past summer).

The cold is making me quite jealous of my wee kraken's wardrobe, which consists largely of fuzzy footed items, that seem quite cozy and comfortable. Indeed, I am starting to consider purchasing a few footed sleepers for myself.

The cold also makes going out anywhere a mad dash from car to destination, since I do not want the wee kraken to be chilled. However, she does not seem to be the least bit cold, and rather, relishes the extremely short trips from car to store, and laughs every time. Maybe she thinks it is funny to make me run? Maybe she is laughing in the face of the weather? Maybe she has superhuman warmth and just doesn't give a da*n?

Whatever the case may be, it makes me laugh, so the cold is not so bad.

Today's Project: MBP#1.

Today's Life Observation: Just going to the gym will not actually get you in shape. You need to work out there. I'm talking to you, people who sit at the little tables near the front desk and drink coffee.

Not Top Chef

2007-01-30T11:42:00.000-08:00

So, Thisbe loves food. And Thisbe is fascinated by the process of converting raw materials (i.e. flour and shredded cheese and bacon) into something delicious (i.e. Bacon Monkey Bread). But Thisbe does not particularly enjoy cooking. In fact, Thisbe rarely cooks, on the grounds that her creative home-making skill is knitting, and cooking generally cannot be done from the couch.

Thus, it is a puzzle that Thisbe is COMPLETELY OBSESSED with cooking tools. Every freaking time the William Sonoma catalog arrives, Thisbe wants the egg coddlers. Perhaps our eggs are sad and lonely, as they are without the coddling that all good eggs should have. Is it guilt? Is it some sort of latent Betty Crocker gene? It makes no sense.

Recently this phenomenon has leaked into the Cuisinart line, because they have been advertising a standing mixer which appears to be magical. It makes ice cream! It makes pasta! It grinds meat! It composes sonnets! (OK, I'm not sure about the last one, but it is still magical). And it comes in an array of attractive colors.

Thisbe keeps having grandiose fantasies of purchasing the mixer, and then dancing around the kitchen, ala Donna Reed, whipping up delicious meals for PBB & the wee kraken, and greeting PBB upon his arrival home with a gourmet dinner.

The key is: THIS IS COMPLETELY UNREALISTIC. Thisbe (while fully capable) has no interest in actually cooking the meal. So unless the mixer is actually magical, and will cook the dinner itself, it would just be a giant waste of money.

Fortunately, the cost of the mixer is bordering on prohibitive, so Thisbe has not yet caved, but late at night she can hear the siren song......[quiet tiny voice] "Thiiiiiiiissssssbbbeeeee......you could make your own iiiiiiiiccccceeee creeeeeeammmmmm" Shut UP mixer.

Today's Project: Mystery Baby Project #1 (hereinafter MBP #1).

Today's life observation: Drool is cute only if you are a wee kraken. Or a puppy.

Nothing and Everything

2007-01-25T20:22:00.000-08:00

This week has actually been kind of crazy, but not a lot actually happened.

Highlights:

1) I have been given an opportunity to join a community orchestra that will be going to Italy in July. While this sounds fantastic, I cannot leave the kraken, (or PBB, although, he can actually take care of himself, as opposed to the kraken) and frankly her cello skills are not yet at the level necessary to play in the orchestra too. So, if I went, I'd have to take her with me. And I'd need PBB or some other adult to accompany us so that the kraken wouldn't crawl/walk away during a concert. Dilemma.

2) I went to the gym 3 times! That is an increase of 300% over my gym efforts for the last year. No, really.

3) The wee kraken learned how to clap, which is hilarious and adorable, and makes me want to go and wake her up to see her do it.

Today's Project: Mystery Baby Project #1 -- cool, but interminable.

Today's Life Observation: (Taken from a flip chart leaning against the wall in our rehearsal space) Charlotte + Wilbur = Friends. I could not say it better myself.

24

2007-01-22T21:14:00.000-08:00

So. I am in love with Jack Bauer (after of course, PBB, and the wee kraken, and then also, Brad Pitt). (Sorry Kiefer, I am not in any way trying to freak you out, but that Jack! He's fantastic!).

I have been watching the new episodes of 24 when I get back from rehearsal, and I have to say, the theme of this season appears to be ANGRY VIOLENT Jack, as opposed to last season, which was EVERYONE WHO KNOWS JACK DIES.

This does not make me love Jack any less, because now, he is even more of a bad boy (Note: so what's the deal with his family? You have to have a pretty dysfunctional family if Jack Bauer is the "black sheep"), however, coming off of the tragedies of last season (EDGAR! NOOOOOOOO!), but based on Jack's current behavior (running around and almost indiscriminately beating/biting/killing various people) I find myself unwilling to get attached to any new characters. And I am even more attached to the old ones. (Milo! Where have you been?).

I am also somewhat worried about Jack's mental state. I think he is even worse off than the season when he was addicted to heroin.

And to the writers of 24, if you are, by some chance, reading this: leave Chloe alone. PLEASE.

Today's Project: Mystery Baby Project #1 (this one will take a long time, but it will be worth it).

Today's Life Observation: Broccoli smothered in cheese & butter is unfortunately, not healthy. Really.

Things That Suck

2007-01-18T21:47:00.000-08:00

1) Mean Moms
2) Mean ladies at the grocery store.
3) People who say they will call back, but do not.
4) People who say they will call, but do not.
5) People who call you only when they need something.
6) People who know you need help, but don't bother to call.
7) Post-pregnancy weight.
8) Not being able to sleep.

Today's Project: Mystery Baby Project #1

Today's Life Observation: Nobody's on Nobody's side.

Coda Mama

2007-01-17T10:35:00.000-08:00

This morning we went to a Mom's Club Event. I kind of hate going to these events. I am completely intimidated by all the other Moms. I feel like a mom imposter. Like I am some sort of 16 year old babysitter who stole someone's kid and is masquerading as an actual Mom.

Not to mention, that I generally do not get along well with other women. This is not to say that I don't like other women, or have female friends or anything, but for some reason, I do not get the whole female relationship dynamic (despite having researched this issue, taken classes on it, and actually conducted sessions with teenagers on relational aggression), and I end up saying or doing something stupid.

And then the other women/girls mock me and torment me endlessly. And not in a gentle, fun, kind of way. In the kind of way that makes a 16 year old girl go home after school and cry in her room.

For example, today one of the other Moms asked me if the wee kraken was sleeping through the night, and I, stupid moron that I am, answered "Yes, she has been sleeping through the night since she was 2 months old" (which is true). I then spent the next 10 minutes backpedaling and talking about all the other things she does that are not good, because that Mom was clearly about to disembowel me with a butter knife.

I keep going to these events because I really feel like I need to meet other Moms, but I just have NOTHING to talk about with them. I feel like a giant tool. Argh.

Today's Project: Mystery Baby Project #1 continues.

Today's Life Observation: Mean Girls just grow up into Mean Moms.

La la la.

2007-01-10T19:55:00.000-08:00

So, for those of you who know Thisbe (and read previous posts), you know that I enjoy singing, and I am not actually too bad at it. If I may toot my own horn for a moment here, I have even held principal roles in several musical productions. As such, I decided that I would like to participate in a local Gilbert & Sullivan group that is putting on a show later this year. So now, every Monday and Wednesday, I drive 35 minutes to rehearsal and have a little kraken-free grown-up time.

I am enjoying the rehearsals, but as it turns out, I am the only one in the group who has actually performed this particular show (a more obscure G & S production), and so I often find my mind wandering. I stare at the wooden ceiling of the church where we rehearse, and I wonder how old it is, how many slats it has, and whether the church founders would freak out if they knew people of many non-Christian faiths were hanging out there and singing immoral songs (or at least, songs that would have been immoral at the time). I am also fascinated by the signs that are sort of lying around the rehearsal space (e.g. Spaghetti Dinner! Tonight!), and wonder how long they have been there. They move around, and change, but yet, I have seen no signs of any Spaghetti Dinner.

And perhaps as a result of all of these random musings I also find that I am regressing to the slightly obnoxious soprano that I was in college. Specifically, I am all fidgety and whispering to my neighbor, and I can't quite figure it out. I am no longer fearful of these people (or at least, I am less fearful than when I auditioned) Why am I suddenly becoming 18 again? [Or at least, why can't I just get back my 18 year old body?] It is fortunate that the music director seems as immature as I am, (or finds my fidgety weirdness endearing), because I think otherwise I would be sitting in a corner with a dunce cap.

Sooooooo, shout out to the G & S group! Way to give me an adult activity complete with real conversations!

Today's Project: Still Mystery Baby Project #1!

Today's Life Observation: Low-fat things are also low in taste.

Slacker poster.

2007-01-09T16:46:00.000-08:00

Yes. Yes. I know. I haven't posted in well over two weeks. I don't have much of a good excuse except for general holiday malaise. That and the fact that I really didn't have much to report, and I did not think it would be interesting for people to read "Hey, nothing happened today! It was RIVETING".

This past weekend PBB & I dressed up like real adults and went out for a proper grown-up dinner, replete with alcohol and food that was prepared in more than 5 minutes without a microwave. Accompanying us for this outing were Mr. & Mrs. Weef, who are expecting a small (and we found out today) little girl (congratulations!) kraken of their very own.

So, while we went out with the best of intentions, I could not stop PBB from waxing eloquent on the colors of poo, and I went right along with it. And I must say, I am full of shame, because that is not normal adult conversation, and a shout-out apology must go to the Weefs, for subjecting them to what amounted to an all-night diatribe on being new parents. I will be very impressed if they did not have to go home and lie down for the rest of the year from fear and shock. I have promised Mrs. Weef that we will go out for another grown-up dinner and will not have lame baby conversations, although she did not seem that upset (but then, she is very polite and well-mannered, so she may be trying to spare my feelings, or perhaps, fend off another spate of parenting drivel).

We also went to see A Chorus Line, which was very good, with two notable exceptions/problems:

1) The seats in the Schoenfeld theater were apparently designed for gnomes, and therefore, no average sized adult (or even small adult) can sit comfortably in them, which really detracts from one's enjoyment of the show.

2) Seated directly behind us were a group of women that if I were to use dramatic UNDERstatement I would describe as quiet, subtle, and slightly tipsy. The seats did not seem to bother them (to be fair, in their state(s), I think that if the theater exploded it would not have bothered them), and they expressed their *deep* love of the show by punctuating EVERY SINGLE SONG with their own approbation/observations. "I JUST *LOVE* HER! I DO! I LOVE HER!!!!" "SHE'S GREAT!" "YES! SHE IS GREAT! I LOVE HER". I am still not sure if it was funny or just plain annoying.

Today's Project: Continued work on Mystery Baby Project #1. So fun!

Today's Life Observation: Cats really do like balls of string.

Shopping is LOVE.

2006-12-18T19:04:00.000-08:00

So, shout out to the Little Blonde for alerting me to an AWESOME sale here today.

I was able to go to an actual physical place for the sale, and got some fantastic things for much less than their original prices (even less than the sale prices on the website).

Indeed, I am wearing the "inside-out jacket (in charcoal)" *right now*! It could not be softer or cozier. Me and Eva Longoria! Shop at the same place! Sort of!

Sorry. I am overwhelmed with shopping giddiness.

Today's project: Got held up on the last sleeve of Pink Sweater Project #2. Will finish it (Oh YES I WILL) tomorrow or die trying.

Today's life observation: Music truly does soothe the savage beast (or wee kraken).

MEMO

2006-12-11T20:13:00.000-08:00

To: My Street
From: Thisbe
Re: Holiday Light Decorations

Dear Neighbors,

Happy Holidays! We in the Thisbe household wish you and your families the best this holiday season, and in the upcoming New Year. In the spirit of the season, we would like to send some heartfelt wishes regarding your holiday decorations, as follows:

1) We wish you would follow the tried-and-true adage that "more is less" or the equally compelling "more is not better" or whatever your mother told you regarding "too much" of anything. Because we are going slightly blind from the sheer wattage of your collective holiday cheer.

2) We wish you would stick with all-white lights (which is, of course, a personal preference thing),** but if you must go with colored lights, we wish they were the wee tiny lights, rather than the largish, 60-watt style lights, which are causing Thisbe to almost drive off the road every time she sees them.

3) We wish we did not have to mention giant inflatable holiday decorations. Indeed, we wish they had never been created. But since someone has a very twisted sense of humor, we wish you would not egg them on by purchasing such decorations and putting them on your lawn. You're better than that.

4) Most importantly, we REALLY REALLY REALLY wish you would leave the animated light-up reindeer at the mall/store/gates of Hades. We can't prove it, but we are pretty sure that they are watching us, and it is creeping us OUT.

Love, The Thisbe Family

PS. Please accept our holiday wishes in the spirit in which they were intended, of good cheer, understanding that holiday lights/decorations are a bit of a pet peeve for us, and we are just poking a bit of good fun at them. In no way are we intending to disparage Christmas, or anyone's enjoyment or celebration thereof. We are not interested in receiving posts about how we are mean-spirited Grinches who hate Christmas. We do not, and we are supportive of the celebration of all winter holidays. Happy Festivus! And, Relax.

**Specifically, we wish you would stick with single-strand white lights rather than the very drippy lights, or the nets of lights, both of which are less visually stunning than you might think to the average viewer, but again, to each his own.

Today's Project: Rows away from completion of the pink sweater project. Also working on a black and silver shawl.

Today's Life Observation: Bad morning shower = VERY bad day.

Howdy Neighbors!

2006-12-06T09:13:00.000-08:00

[Thisbe notes that she has not posted for some time. Mea culpa. I have no good excuse, except that I didn't have much to say]

So it appears as though we have not one, but two sets of new neighbors.** There have been no sightings of the actual neighbors, but several sightings of their moving trucks and several furtive, drive-by or peering-through-my-window efforts to catch a glimpse of them.

I am not sure about the protocol on the whole "go introduce yourself and be neighborly" thing that I feel that I should do. Am I required to bring a baked good or casserole? (Thisbe is not keen on baking or cooking). Do I need to bring PBB with me? Should I just go with the wee kraken?

I am sure there is some kind of Emily Post procedure, but.......whatever. I think we'll wait until 1) The neighbors are sighted on one of the furtive drive-bys or 2) Saturday, when PBB is home.

**This development is particularly interesting in light of the fact that one set of neighbors is replacing the family which contained our affectionately nicknamed "Loud Guy", a man who was nice, but both a close AND loud talker. Suffice to say, when PBB had a headache so severe that we had to take him to the emergency room (he's fine), who was there? Loud Guy.

Today's Project: Pink sweater project #2 is almost complete! I have only 1 sleeve to go!

Today's life observation: Retail therapy. Goooooooood.

A very Happy Turkey Day to you all...

2006-11-22T06:43:00.000-08:00

May your pants be split with the vast amounts of (good) food that you consume.

Thisbe must go cook two corn souffles, but wanted to post a picture of the blue stripey hat.

Enjoy!

Today's Project: The left front of Pink Sweater Project #2 is almost complete! I am hoping to make a great deal of headway on it over the holiday.

Today's Life Observation: You can never have too many Pyrex pans.

Not so friendly skies.

2006-11-15T13:40:00.000-08:00

So this really burns me.

For those of you uninterested in clicking on the link, the gist of the story is that a woman on an airplane was sitting in a window seat (with her husband in the seat next to her), nursing her infant, and a flight attendant came by and offered her a blanket "for discretion". The woman turned down the offer of the blanket, and a short while later the flight attendant came back and asked her to get off the plane.

If what this woman claims is true, and she was indeed, kicked off an airplane for breastfeeding, then I am both horrified and furious. If I had been that woman, the exact same thing would have happened to me, as the wee kraken does not like anything on her head when she is nursing, and I would have no real interest in a crappy airline blanket for that purpose. I mean, it is not as if she was running up and down the aisle waving her exposed b**bs about and spraying other passengers (in which case, I would wholeheartedly support removing her from that, or any other flight).

If you don't want to nurse your kid, then fine. If you don't want to see me nursing my kid, then don't look, and frankly, even if you are looking, I am not exactly sure what you are seeing, other than the back of her head. Geez. I'm not much of a "lactivist", but I really get upset when people act like nursing your child in public is akin to stripping and table dancing.

Today's project: Working on the front of Pink Sweater Project #2. Picture to follow when the sweater gets a little farther.

Today's life observation: Mushrooms growing on your front lawn were a neat fairyland item as a child, but are really, just fungus, as an adult.

Home again, home again....

2006-11-13T13:58:00.000-08:00

So. This past weekend, we went to the ancestral home of Thisbe, to visit the wee kraken's doting Grammy & Big Pop.

Long car ride, to get to the ancestral home. On the plus side, the long car ride always features amusing small town idiosyncrasies (a storage facility with (what appears to be) a giant paper mache beaver out front -- store your things here! Or I will gnaw down a tree in front of you!).

Also, I was quite pleased because I am a HUGE fan of my hometown college basketball team, and this past weekend they played my actual college team at the hometown arena. I LOVE going to games there (Childhood memories! Daddy buys me sports stuff! I get to yell at strangers without repercussions!). Also, Big Pop purchased the wee kraken's first sports outfit for our team (and a matching hat for Thisbe). I am extremely excited to suit her up to watch the games with me. Since PBB (Thisbe's husband, and father of the wee kraken) hates sports, I am thrilled to have created my own companion for watching the games.

Also, I am consistently fascinated with how many people we know when we go out anywhere in the ancestral hometown. When we were first married, PBB & I would go there, and we could not go anywhere without Big Pop knowing someone, and that trend has continued. PBB was completely amazed every time it happened, and vowed that he too would have this sort of local notoriety in years to come. And although I used to take it for granted (since I lived it for 18 years), I am starting to be equally amazed, and also amazed that this trend has extended to the rest of the family. For example, wee kraken & I went out with Grammy for all of 2 hours and ran into 2 people she/I know. At dinner, we saw another family friend, at the game we saw another guy Big Pop knows. I run into someone I know here perhaps once a month, although usually under hilarious circumstances.* And it is not as though we live in a particularly big town.

Today's project: I expected to make major headway on Pink Sweater Project #2 this weekend, what with all of the car time, but forgot to factor in my love of sleeping in the car. So, I got almost nothing done.

Today's life observation: You can go home again. Really. And if you are lucky, your parents will treat you to dinner.

*My favorite example of this is when PBB had such a severe headache that we had to take him to the emergency room, and who should we see there? Our neighbor, who we lovingly refer to as "Loud Guy", because 1) He is loud, and 2) he is a "close talker". You can just imagine how happy PBB was to have that kind of extra support in his time of need.

IIIIIIIIIIII.........am the very model

2006-11-08T19:42:00.000-08:00

Of a modern major chorister.

Yet again, I have committed to performing in a Gilbert & Sullivan show. Why, oh why, do I keep doing this? I mean, I like G & S. Who doesn't? Crazy sexist plotlines? Cross-dressing? A guaranteed happy ending? GOOD TIMES FOR ALL, I SAY!

However, I find that the other members of the cast, (as usual) to put it delicately, are, shall we say, not so much acting to get into the "crazy" part of their characters.

To be fair, this group seems to have a lower crazy quotient than most, but still. It makes me all jumpy and twitchy just to be at a rehearsal. I actually get fidgety. Like a second-grader on a Halloween candy high. Ugh.

In other news, my wee kraken is now sporting two, count 'em, TWO teensy (but kind of sharp) teeth. They made her rather angry and rageful the last couple of days, but now that they are out I think she will return to her regularly scheduled pleasant little self.

Today's project: Work continues on Pink Sweater Project #2. I really like this project. The sweater is adorable and requires a moss-stitch knit for a good portion of it, which is just kind of fun.

Today's life observation: A hummer stretch limo? Can get a flat tire. Big does not equal invincible.